Paul O'Grady

Paul O' Grady with the award for best Factual Entertainment in the Press Room at the National Television Awards 2019 held at the O2 Arena, London.

I say to them, ‘Heart attack or not, I’m hopeless on treadmills!”‘ He also spoke about his health at the time, having had two heart attacks, saying: “The worst thing you can do is to sit and fret. O’Grady’s love of animals was also apparent through his other work and in September 2016, he was recognised for his work with animals when he won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare at the RSPCA’s Animal Hero Awards. O’Grady became popular with a whole new audience as the host of The Paul O’Grady Show which aired in a teatime slot on ITV from 2004 to 2005, later moving it to Channel 4 as The New Paul O’Grady Show. Last year he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of the home. He was well known for his self-titled daytime chat show, The Paul O’Grady Show, which began airing in 2004, followed by the New Paul O’Grady Show.

Before his death aged 67, presenter, comedian and drag queen Paul O'Grady had a vibrant and varied career in the entertainment industry spanning more than ...

All pictures subject to copyright. Paul O'Grady: A life in pictures [his death aged 67](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65108130), presenter, comedian and drag queen Paul O'Grady had a vibrant and varied career in the entertainment industry spanning more than three decades.

The TV star died 'unexpectedly but peacefully' on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said.

He took on chat show The Lily Savage Show for the BBC for a short run in 1997 and later that year had success as the host of a revived version of gameshow Blankety Blank, which ran until 2002. O’Grady’s career as Savage took off with TV and radio appearances in character and he was eventually asked to take over from Paula Yates as The Big Breakfast presenter as Savage from 1995 to 1996. Last year he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador. He began his career performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s whilst working as a peripatetic care officer for Camden Council, going on to tour northern England as part of drag duo the Playgirls. O’Grady took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017. During his career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs.

Television presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67. The news of his death has been announced by his family. The TV star, also known ...

A really special man." Throughout his career, O'Grady won accolades including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award and a National Television Award for The Paul O'Grady Show. "Such sad news. His self-titled teatime programme, The Paul O'Grady Show, aired on ITV from 2004 to 2005, later moving to Channel 4 as The New Paul O'Grady Show. [Queen Consort Camilla](https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/2022/06/22/camilla-duchess-of-cornwalls-style-evolution-in-42-photos-tweed-tartan-and-two-pieces/) in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea [Dogs and Cats Home](https://www.thenationalnews.com/weekend/2022/02/18/why-rescuing-a-uae-street-dog-was-the-best-decision-of-my-life/), an organisation for which he was an ambassador. During his career, he hosted The Paul O'Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV's National Television Awards winner For The Love Of Dogs.

His career spanned more than three decades - from drag acts in London, to being awarded an MBE and beyond.

All pictures subject to copyright. Paul O'Grady: A life in pictures [his death aged 67](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65108130), presenter, comedian and drag queen Paul O'Grady had a vibrant and varied career in the entertainment industry spanning more than three decades.

TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has 'unexpectedly' died aged 67, his partner has confirmed.

For a short run in 1997, he took on chat show The Lily Savage Show for the BBC and later that year had success as the host of a revived version of gameshow Blankety Blank, which ran until 2002. He was made an MBE in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and attended the ceremony with his daughter Sharyn Mousley. O’Grady’s career as Savage took off with TV and radio appearances in character and he was eventually asked to take over from Paula Yates as The Big Breakfast presenter as Savage from 1995 to 1996. O’Grady won numerous accolades throughout his career including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show. He began his career performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s whilst working as a peripatetic care officer for Camden Council, going on to tour northern England as part of drag duo the Playgirls. In 2022, the Queen Consort joined him in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador. [O’Grady](https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/23018140.wirral-presenter-paul-ogrady-returns-annie-uk-tour/) was going to return to the airwaves next month to host a one-off Easter Sunday radio show on Boom Radio. [O’Grady](https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/national/23402766.paul-ogrady-return-airwaves-boom-radio-following-radio-2-departure/) as “a really special man” in an online tribute. O’Grady’s love for animals was clear to see and he had lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Portasio along with four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls. During his TV career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He wrote his debut children’s book, Eddie Albert And The Amazing Animal Gang, during the coronavirus lockdown and it was published in September 2021. O’Grady took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.

British TV presenter, actor and comedian Paul O'Grady passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday at the age of 67.

O’Grady began developing the beloved Lily Savage character in the 1970s and performed as her in a solo show that ran for eight years at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern. O’Grady later hosted The Lily Savage Show for a short 1997 stint and then hosted a rebooted version of BBC gameshow Blankety Blank in character. He was so proud of Annie, so happy to be back on Boom Radio, and he was looking forward to so many new projects.” Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling, and full of life. More recently, he had been on tour playing Miss Hannigan in a touring version of Annie. He was 67.

TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said.

LONDON (AP) — Entertainer Paul O'Grady, who achieved fame as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a much-loved comedian and host on British television, ...

“Paul was one of the loveliest people you could ever meet,” Tatchell said. Camilla, the queen consort, was a guest on the show last year. O’Grady used his platform to speak out about LGBT rights at the height of the AIDS crisis, a time when the Conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was passing anti-gay laws.

The TV presenter and comedian died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, his partner says.

The role is responsible for representing the King at events in the area. He had previously had heart attacks in 2002 and 2006, the latter requiring a stay in intensive care. The TV star had a daughter with his friend Diane Jansen in 1974. It was later revived in 2013 on ITV and remained on air for two years. He began performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s. We have lost a unique talent - and I've lost a dear friend."

Entertainer Paul O'Grady, who achieved fame as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a much-loved comedian and host on British television, has died.

“Paul was one of the loveliest people you could ever meet,” Tatchell said. Camilla, the queen consort, was a guest on the show last year. O’Grady used his platform to speak out about LGBT rights at the height of the AIDS crisis, a time when the Conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was passing anti-gay laws.

The British star and dog lover, known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage - long before the art form became mainstream - has died agead 67.

I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years". Interestingly, O'Grady wasn't actually a fan of the now internationally popular franchise RuPaul’s Drag Race, saying: “That's not drag! O’Grady had a decades-long career but was perhaps best known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage.

Paul O'Grady, one of Britain's most popular TV personalities, has died aged 67.

[official Twitter account](https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1640997462176419840?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet), writing: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of O’Grady also hosted ITV’s “For The Love Of Dogs.” In a one-off special for the show last year, O’Grady was joined by Camilla, Queen Consort to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organization for which he was an ambassador. An awesome talent stretching decades.” O’Grady won numerous accolades during his career, including a TV BAFTA, and in 2008 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to entertainment. In 1997, “The Lily Savage Show” ran briefly on the BBC before, later that year O’Grady took on the role of presenting the revived version of BBC gameshow “Blankety Blank,” which ran until 2002. [Doctor Who](https://cnn.com/2022/05/08/entertainment/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-intl-scli/index.html)” star John Barrowman [tweeted](https://twitter.com/JohnBarrowman/status/1640948230761631745): “I am totally shocked and sad to hear the awful news that Paul O’Grady has died.

The TV host and comedian was known as the host of Blind Date and Blankety Blank, and for his drag queen persona Lily Savage. O'Grady's partner confirmed his ...

U.K. broadcaster ITV has revealed the schedule changes brought about by the death of popular British presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady.

Under the Savage persona, he also went on to host light entertainment shows such as “The Big Breakfast,” “Blankety Blank” and “Lily Live!” He had a profound passion for animals too, which resonated with so many viewers, and ‘For The Love of Dogs’ remains one of our best-loved series, and a really special programme for so many. He was a huge, inimitable talent, delighting our viewers through his comedy and entertainment with a warmth, humor and joy that audiences of all generations related to and connected with.

Host of Blind Date and Blankety Blank described as someone who stuck up for the underdog – particularly if they were canine.

The charity’s chief executive, Peter Laurie, said: “Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.” O’Grady’s affection for animals was so great, he once said that given the choice of more sex or money, he would choose a mongoose. He retired Savage to “a convent in Brittany” in 2004. I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.” [Carol Vorderman](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/vorderman) told the BBC that O’Grady was a “massive talent” who “made every part of you feel like you were alive”. He was discovered at a club in south London when he stood in for an act that called in sick, playing the drag persona Lily Savage, a loud-mouthed single mother and occasional sex worker.

LONDON — (AP) — Entertainer Paul O'Grady, who achieved fame as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a much-loved comedian and host on British television, ...

“Paul was one of the loveliest people you could ever meet,” Tatchell said. Camilla, the queen consort, was a guest on the show last year. O’Grady used his platform to speak out about LGBT rights at the height of the AIDS crisis, a time when the Conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was passing anti-gay laws.

Comedian, broadcaster and chat-show host who shot to widespread fame in the 1990s as his alter ego Lily Savage.

Last year he made a special one-off episode of For the Love of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, for which he was an ambassador. In 2011 he quit Paul O’Grady Live after becoming exasperated with his role as a chat- show host: “I felt part of the PR machine. But O’Grady killed off Savage in 2005, claiming Lily had “seen the light, taken the veil and packed herself off to a convent in France”. A two-part eulogy to the British working class, broadcast in 2013, it prompted press scepticism – not least because O’Grady told viewers he still considered himself working class despite being a millionaire who owned a generous plot of land in Kent. Tatchell said of O’Grady: “Paul wasn’t just a brilliant comedian and broadcast personality but a much admired campaigner for LGBT+ equality and animal rights … “I was born late – what my mother calls the last kick of a dying horse,” he said in his 2009 autobiography At My Mother’s Knee … “They made many arrests but we were a stoic lot and it was business as usual the next night.” In the 70s he worked for Camden council in north London as a peripatetic carer. “So we went out every night and were the talk of the island.” The story was typical of O’Grady, who loved to dramatise his indomitability and had an unquenchable desire to be in the public eye. His defiant unshakeability and desire to perform came together in his first stage persona, the foul-mouthed Lily Savage, who sported a platinum blond beehive wig, vast quantities of makeup, white stilettos, a leopardskin miniskirt and a matching fake-fur coat. “My nose was out to here and I had a black eye, but I said: ‘I’m not ruining my holiday,’” he recalled. She even returned in triumph to her native Merseyside, and became a regular on This Morning with Richard and Judy.

A boundary-busting standup, a radio sensation, a knockout on TV, a champion for LGBTQ rights, and a pet-lover extraordinaire … stars and writers pay tribute ...

He was backstage at the Tavern in 1987, preparing for his performance and adjusting his wig, when suddenly the police burst into his dressing room. O’Grady developed the act (“a creature,” he said, “that was more cartoon than human”) in the gay clubs of London’s Camden Town – specifically, the Black Cap. Recently, when we were working on a campaign to get an apology from the police for their past persecution of the LGBTQ+ community, he told me a story that stuck in my mind. So, in his final months, he was preparing to stand up, accuse them of homophobia and demand they finally take responsibility and apologise. And what he landed on often, was fury – at the “criminals” in government. The fact that a lot of people who wrote in seemed to be of advanced years – the requests were often to thank helpful younger family members or carers – said a great deal about the breadth of his appeal. He wrinkled his nose and said: “I’m just the burnt-out wreck of a once glorious disco.” He worried about them when they were poorly and shared the joy when we found them loving homes. I got the feeling that, with his programmes about animals, he had to really push to make them happen. These tales echoed back to the war, with secrets and debts and back-alley shags in the Liverpool of the Blitz. He could just talk about whatever was in his head and get laughs. He stared at me like the scan of a 3D printer.

Paul O'Grady died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday, according to his husband, Andre Portasio. The beloved 'Lily Savage Show' star was 67.

In the 1990s, O’Grady took his talents to television. Once a care worker in Camden Town, O’Grady made his debut as Lily Savage “You went places nobody had gone before and we will miss you very much.” I’m obsessed with them.” [Q&A with the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/27/paul-ogrady-im-not-worried-about-sex-money-or-fame-i-just-want-a-mongoose) published in November 2021, O’Grady talked about the “happiest” moment of his life, his greatest fear (“finding a rat swimming in my toilet’’) and his brushes with death. “It’s all animals.

Paul O'Grady achieved fame as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a much-loved comedian and host on British television.

Mr. O’Grady leaves Mr. Veteran gay-rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said Mr. The official royal family Twitter account posted a picture of Mr. Britain’s queen consort, who worked with Mr. Camilla, the queen consort, was a guest on the show last year.

Fellow drag queens praised the character for helping to pave the way for thousands of artists.

"They've paved the way for legions of drag artists and I wouldn't be here without them." at the time I had no idea who I was and what I wanted to be... "Drag isn't scary and it's been around for a long time and we ain't going anywhere, baby!," they said, adding: "He's an icon and he's an inspiration to so many queer people that want to make it in the entertainment industry." "For Paul to make it mainstream on television just after the Aids crisis and working through it as an entertainer really was a testament to who he was as a person," they said. but she made me feel comfortable for the first time." Describing O'Grady as a "trailblazer", they told BBC News: "He took drag to the mainstream and really set the way for people like me to be able to do our jobs."

After learning of Paul O'Grady's passing, Queen Consort Camilla expressed how she was "deeply saddened" by the news. See the royal family's tribute to the ...

He was also a presenter on BBC radio and acted on stage, recently playing Miss Hannigan in Annie The Musical. The March 29 [Instagram post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CqXfL5wsAFM/) featured a photo of Paul, Camilla and a West Highland white terrier named George during their February 2022 visit to Battersea Brands Hatch center in Kent. "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening," Andre said in the March 29 statement. "He will be so dearly missed by all of us at Battersea." [BAFTA-winning](https://www.eonline.com/news/bafta_awards) The Paul O'Grady Show. [King Charles III](https://www.eonline.com/news/prince_charles) and [Queen Consort Camilla](https://www.eonline.com/news/1345421/what-camillas-role-as-queen-consort-means)'s official social media accounts paid tribute to the late comedian.

O'Grady won numerous accolades during his career, including a TV BAFTA, and in 2008 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for ...

O'Grady won numerous accolades during his career, including a TV BAFTA, and in 2008 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for ...

O'Grady's camp creation built on the legacy of drag artists that came before him and helped change the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the UK.

In the US, criticism of drag has escalated even further, with a [recent law](https://news.sky.com/story/tennessee-becomes-first-us-state-to-ban-public-drag-performances-12824159) passed in Tennessee that bans drag and female impersonation in public. I was asked to go on stage for an interactive segment of the show, and Lily was just as charismatic and captivating in person as she was from the back of the theatre. RIP “Lily of the Scally”. They argue that the “sexualisation and inappropriateness” of drag represent a threat to children. This led to users on internet forum Mumsnet, [gender-critical feminists](https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/society/953619/what-are-gender-critical-beliefs) (women who believe that sex is biological and immutable and cannot be conflated with gender identity) and anti-drag critics [calling for them to be cancelled](https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/06/23/drag-queen-story-hour-uk-aida-h-dee-sab-samuel-leeds-city-council-sarah-field-mumsnet/?fbclid=IwAR1kts2g7Z30tlIC1waptxwEX0C0bD5_ccjDTXeUvLkRiL6fJmW5z0ipen8). Drag is not only a unique display of artistry and a political standpoint; one of its primary functions has always been that of entertainment. However, it is important to acknowledge the cultural history of drag and those artists, such as O’Grady, who paved the way for a wider social acceptance. After this successful run, O’Grady began to step back from Lily and appear more as himself, with a number of popular programmes such as The Paul O’Grady Show and For the Love of Dogs. [Camilla the Queen Consort](https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1640997462176419840?cxt=HHwWgMC-peuf_8UtAAAA), who stated that O'Grady’s “warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many”. [term “drag” dates back to Shakespeare](https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbkmkmn#:%7E:text=Shakespeare's%20As%20You%20Like%20It,would%20drag%20along%20the%20floor.) with men playing women’s roles. [Lily Savage](https://www.oocities.org/lilysavage_uk/biography.html) in the early 1980s, where he became popular with queer locals. [Danny La Rue](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jun/01/danny-la-rue-obituary), [Dame Edna Everage](https://twitter.com/dameednaeverage?lang=en-GB) and Lily Savage, who would often be seen on mainstream television programmes.

Suzy Eddie Izzard has paid tribute to Paul O'Grady, describing him as a “funny” and “acerbic” comedian in an article.

“You went places nobody had gone before and we will miss you very much.” But he did things his way and with aplomb.” It would have been nice if he could have stuck around for longer.” “People should always keep growing and challenging themselves,” Izzard added. “That was it, above all else: he was relaxed in his skin, while also being funny and acerbic. Izzard described her appearances on The Paul O’Grady Show as “always fun”, adding: “He was a lovely, decent guy who cared about people.

EXCLUSIVE: Paul O'Grady wed pal Theresa Fernandes in 1976 when her work permit was due to expire - and she faced having to leave London return home to ...

She was uber-cool and laid back and was a big hit with the women customers, who all fancied her David Cassidy good looks. I was a married man.' Paul wrote: 'Reluctantly I stopped what I was doing and slammed a large rum into a glass from the optic. I play her for laughs, because she's either drunk or hungover. We were filming in Malta and I only got one day's filming done. I can't.' But I'm back in business.' Because you can play her pure evil, but I don't. 'I think my last disaster was when I caught Covid last year. He joked: 'Don't take the elderly for granted. I'm no chicken. I'm OK. I'm absolutely fine, touch wood.