Perfect for celebrity pals? Paul O'Grady wants to build two-storey guest house with a kitchen and two bedrooms on the grounds of his Georgian farmhouse in Kent 

• Paul O'Grady has lived in his Georgian farmhouse in Kent for the past 20 years 
• Now, the TV star wants to demolish a cottage and build a two-storey guest house 
• He also wants to convert the loft into sixth bedroom for his home and add lobby 

Paul O'Grady is planning to build a two-storey guest house in the grounds of his Georgian farmhouse in Kent for celebrity friends to stay over. 

The TV star, 65, lives alone in his Georgian farmhouse near Ashford, which has been his home for 20 years.  

He married husband Andre Portasio, a Brazilian ballet dancer who's 25 years younger than him, in 2017, however reports in November said they still live apart.

Now, he wants to demolish a rundown cottage on his property to make way for the new guest house.

He also wants to convert the loft into a sixth bedroom and add an entrance lobby to 'create a sense of arrival' at the house. 

Paul has appointed award-winning architecture firm Hollaway to work on the plans for his home, which lies within a Site of Specific Scientific Interest and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It says the cottage earmarked for demolition is in a poor state of disrepair and notes the proposed changes to the main house 'are sympathetic to the existing architecture'.

The plan includes the removal of five trees to improve the driveway and parking arrangements which are described as 'currently restricted and inadequate'.

Landscape alterations have been kept to a minimum, with low-level planters proposed around the planned guest house to 'retain the green character of the site'.

Described as a modern cottage, the two-storey guest house will feature a dining and kitchen space, a separate living area and two upstairs bedrooms.

The Hythe-based Hollaway team, which submitted a planning application to Ashford Borough Council just before Christmas, says it has included a bat loft in the design to mitigate the impact on the winged mammals.

In his main house, Paul, who keeps farm animals including pigs and goats, hopes to increase the size of the study and kitchen, and add a spiral staircase leading to the proposed sixth bedroom in the existing loft.

Paul and Andre, who used to perform for the English National Ballet, first started dating in 2006.

They got married in a 30-minute ceremony in the gardens of The Goring Hotel, central London, on August 5 2017.

Ian McKellen and comedian Julian Clary were among the guests.  

Last summer, he was given the go-ahead to build a private dance studio at his property for Andre.

There will be an 8ft fitted mirror, kitchenette and sound system as well as a green sedum roof.

The scheme - which also included a separate groundskeeper's outbuilding - was approved in July after a planning application was submitted in May.

In a 2010 interview, Paul revealed how he found a home for fellow comedian Julian Clary in the village, but it is believed Julian has now moved away.

Paul said 'It was me who found Julian the house - I knew the couple who lived there and thought 'I know who'll love this place'.

'I told him and he fell in love with it as soon as he saw it.

'It's a lovely part of the world to live in. I've been here for years and it is very much my home.

'When you do get a couple of days of sunshine in Kent and go for a long walk it's fab. You feel like you're on permanent holiday.'

In 2019, comedian Alan Carr hinted he may have moved to the same village in an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show.

Last April, Paul, who part-filmed ITV show Great British Escape from his home last year, spoke about his experience of having a suspected case of Covid-19. 

The deadline for public comments is Friday, January 29. 

After joining Instagram in April during lockdown, the former Lily Savage star has delighted fans with photos of his various pets - including pigs, dogs (see below) and goats.

At last count, Paul had six pigs that are New Zealand Kunekunes - a name that means 'fat and round' in Maori.

As well as the porkies, Paul also has two goats, one of whom is named Maleficent.

Paul is a passionate animal rights advocate and has hosted Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs, based at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, since 2012.

Kelly Brook, MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, I'm A Celebrity's Jacqueline Jossa and EastEnders star June Brown - aka Dot Cotton - also live close by to Paul.

Tranmere-born Paul was previously married to Teresa Fernandes, from 1977 until their divorce in 2005.

He married Portuguese lesbian Teresa to prevent her deportation.

Paul has one daughter Sharon, from a relationship with his friend Diane Jansen.

Sharon was born in 1974, and Paul remains close to her.

Paul became a grandad in 2006, when Sharon gave birth to Abel.

A granddaughter Halo was born in December 2009. Paul said he loves to play the doting grandad to his two grandchildren.