Paul O’Grady

Full Name: Paul James O’Grady
Born: June 14, 1955, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
Died: March 28, 2023, Aldington, Kent, England
Occupation: Comedian, Broadcaster, Drag Queen, Actor, Writer
Years Active: 1980s to 2023
Gender Identity: Cisgender male
Sexuality: Gay

Early Life and Education

Paul James O’Grady was born on June 14, 1955, in Birkenhead, Cheshire (now Merseyside), into a working-class Irish Catholic family. His father, Patrick “Paddy” Grady, came from County Roscommon, Ireland, and his mother, Mary Savage, had roots in County Louth. A clerical error during his father’s service in the Royal Air Force added the “O” to their surname, resulting in O’Grady.

Paul was the youngest of three siblings. He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Redcourt preparatory school, and Blessed Edward Campion R.C. Secondary Modern. He was a sharp-witted and mischievous child who preferred individualism to structured institutions. He joined the Sea Cadets and took up amateur boxing. He also worked as a paperboy and bartender while developing a love for TV and Mod fashion.

Early Adulthood and Move to London

After leaving school at sixteen, Paul worked at the Department of Health and Social Security in Liverpool and bartended locally. He briefly relocated to Surrey but returned to Birkenhead after being wrongfully accused of theft. In 1974, he had a daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen. They never married, but he remained a devoted father.

Paul embraced his sexuality and became active in the Liverpool gay scene. In 1977, he entered a marriage of convenience with Portuguese friend Teresa Fernandes to help her avoid deportation. They stayed legally married until 2005.

Professionally, he worked in social care, including with disabled children. Moving to London, he held jobs ranging from hospital porter to care worker. His experiences during this time informed his future comedy, filled with empathy, frustration, and sharp observation.

The Birth of Lily Savage (1978 to 1984)

Paul first performed as Lily Savage in 1978 at the Black Cap in Camden. Initially a lip-sync act to Barbra Streisand songs, Lily evolved into a brash, foul-mouthed, working-class woman inspired by Paul’s mother and aunts. She wore peroxide wigs, leopard print, and high heels, and quickly became a standout figure in the London drag scene.

In the early 1980s, Paul toured with The Playgirls and a trio named LSD (Lily, Sandra, Doris). He transitioned from mime to sharp-tongued monologue and political satire. His performance in drag was more than entertainment. Lily was a social commentator, a voice of defiance against oppression and moral hypocrisy.

Paul appeared in fringe theatre, pantomimes, and joined the actors’ union Equity in 1982. Lily’s character continued to evolve, increasingly blending comedy with working-class consciousness and political critique.

Residency in Vauxhall and Breakthrough (1984 to 1992)

Paul became the resident compère at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), one of London’s most iconic LGBTQ+ venues. His performances as Lily Savage several nights a week solidified both the venue’s and Lily’s reputations.

He quit his council job and began touring extensively. He met Divine, performed in the US and Europe, and recorded music. The AIDS crisis devastated his circle. He lost many friends and responded by making Lily’s shows political. He targeted homophobia, government neglect, and societal cruelty with biting humor.

He was a vocal critic of Section 28 and participated in protests. In 1991, Lily Savage debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe, earning a Perrier Award nomination. Paul’s national profile expanded rapidly, leading to TV appearances on The Bill, Chimera, and Open Air.

Television Stardom and National Fame (1992 to 2003)

Paul’s national breakthrough came with Channel 4’s Viva Cabaret in 1993. Lily Savage hosted her own variety show, delivering punchy monologues and comic interviews. She later co-hosted The Big Breakfast in 1995 and 1996, adding chaotic humor and risqué jokes to morning television.

In 1997, Paul began hosting a revived Blankety Blank as Lily Savage. The show was a massive success and continued on ITV after its BBC run. Lily also headlined Lily Live and appeared in musical theatre, notably in a touring parody of Prisoner: Cell Block H and in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as the Child Catcher.

As the pressures of drag and health issues mounted, including a heart attack in 2002, Paul began to retire Lily. He continued acting and presenting under his own name and starred in the BBC sitcom Eyes Down (2003 to 2004). He filmed a pilot for The Generation Game but left the project over creative differences.

The Paul O’Grady Show and Later Career (2004 to 2023)

In 2004, Paul launched The Paul O’Grady Show on ITV. The show blended humor, interviews, pets, viewer letters, and musical performances. It was immensely popular and praised for its warmth and authenticity. After a contract dispute, Paul took the show to Channel 4 in 2006, where it ran successfully until 2009. He later returned to ITV from 2013 to 2015.

In 2012, he began hosting Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, a documentary series filmed at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The show was a critical and ratings success, leading to multiple seasons and awards. Paul adopted several dogs and became one of Battersea’s most vocal supporters.

He went on to host Paul O’Grady’s Animal Orphans, The Sally Lindsay Interviews, Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escape, and the Channel 5 revival of Blind Date. He returned to the stage in 2022 as Miss Hannigan in Annie, earning rave reviews.

From 2009 to 2022, Paul hosted a beloved BBC Radio 2 show. He left in 2022 due to new scheduling decisions, sparking public outcry.

Paul remained politically engaged, defending the NHS, criticizing austerity, supporting LGBTQ+ rights, and opposing animal cruelty. Despite multiple heart attacks, he kept working into his late sixties.

Legacy and Advocacy

Paul O’Grady left a profound impact on British culture. As Lily Savage, he brought drag into mainstream consciousness without sacrificing its radical, working-class roots. He gave voice to those often ignored by media and society and made space for openly queer identities in public life.

His contribution to LGBTQ+ visibility during the AIDS crisis was significant. He educated through humor and empathy, challenging stereotypes and demanding dignity.

His advocacy extended beyond queer rights. Paul was a fierce defender of animal welfare, working-class dignity, and public services. He rejected sanitized, commercialized versions of drag, always emphasizing its political and personal roots.

His death in 2023 prompted national mourning. Tributes came from King Charles III, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, LGBTQ+ charities, celebrities, and millions of fans who cherished his warmth, humor, and fierce integrity.

Complete Filmography and Television Work

Television Highlights

Viva Cabaret (1993)
The Big Breakfast (1995 to 1996)
Blankety Blank (1997 to 2002, revived by ITV in 2001)
Lily Live (2000 to 2001)
Eyes Down (2003 to 2004)
The Paul O’Grady Show (2004 to 2009, 2013 to 2015)
Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs (2012 to 2023)
Paul O’Grady’s Animal Orphans (2014 to 2016)
Blind Date (2017 to 2019, Channel 5)
Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escape (2020)

Film Appearances

Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie (2014) – cameo
The Haunted School (2001)

Stage Roles

Prisoner Cell Block H: The Musical
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – The Child Catcher
Annie – Miss Hannigan (2022 to 2023)

Radio

The Paul O’Grady Show – BBC Radio 2 (2009 to 2022)

Sources

BBC News. “Paul O’Grady: TV presenter and comedian dies aged 67.” March 29, 2023.
The Guardian. “Paul O’Grady obituary.” March 29, 2023.
The Independent. “Paul O’Grady: Life in pictures.” March 2023.
ITV News. “Tributes paid to Paul O’Grady.” March 29, 2023.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home tribute page
O’Grady, Paul. At My Mother’s Knee… and Other Low Joints (2008), The Devil Rides Out (2010), Still Standing: The Savage Years (2012), Open the Cage, Murphy! (2015)

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