Paul O'Grady's daughter admits 'devastation' over death of her father

Paul O'Grady's daughter has spoken out about her devastation at the loss of her father following his death.

Sharon Mousley, 48, admitted to the whole family feeling "distraught" over the loss of O'Grady, 67, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this week.

Mousley was O'Grady's only child with friend Diane Jansen, 76, with the pair welcoming her in 1974 when he was just 18 years old.

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She told MailOnline: “What can I say? We are all devastated, I am, my mum is, everyone is. We loved him and we will miss him. We are all distraught."

O'Grady maintained a close personal relationship with his daughter throughout his life and gave her away on her wedding day to husband Phillip Mousley.

At the time he shared his joy over his daughter's nuptials admitting he thought she looked "like a Disney princess."

He said: “It was a really great day. Sharon looked fabulous and Philip is a smashing fella. They fit together like a pan and a lid. She looked like a Disney princess.”

Mousley shares two children with her husband, with O'Grady the proud grandfather to her son Abel who was born in 2006, and daughter Halo who the couple welcomed in 2009.

In O'Grady's autobiography, The Devil Rides out he fondly looked back to the day Jansen gave birth and how he mistook the wrong baby for his own.

Read more: Paul O'Grady died in bed beside husband

He wrote: “Diane, sitting on the bed, her face flushing a bright red to equal mine, was just as embarrassed by the situation as I was. She quickly said, 'Why don't you have a look at her?'"

He then detailed how he went over to the wrong cot and another new mum on the ward told him: "You're looking at the wrong baby, mate. That one's mine, yours is over there."

He explained: "This went down a treat with the mums and nurses, setting them off screaming with laughter and me scuttling over to take a peep at my own child, feeling more like Carabosse than a loving father."

Watch: Paul O'Grady dies aged 67 following glittering showbiz career

O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio confirmed his death in a statement on Wednesday. It read: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.

“We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.

“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.

“I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”