Paul O'Grady
- Profession: Comedian and TV Host
- Place/Date of Birth: Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, 14 June 2020
"I was a bit scared about the whole idea because I thought it would make me feel a bit old but I’m over the moon."
The star’s daughter, Sharyn, is due to give birth on Christmas Day.
Paul admitted he has been struggling to keep the good news close to his chest since he found out his daughter, who was born when he was 17, was expecting a child.
"It has been murder, because you know what I’m like keeping secrets," confessed Paul, best known as the creator of vampish drag character Lily Savage.
"I’m superstitious and I thought if I said anything it could go wrong."
Paul loses Manager - June 05
Paul O’Grady has lost close friend, and former partner Brendan Murphy to cancer. Brendan, who was the executive producer of ITV’s ’The Paul O’Grady Show’, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Paul was helped significantly by Brendan following his heart attack in 2002, and in a statement said that it was an absolute privilege to have known him.
The Paul O’Grady show - October 04
It seems that Lily Savage has well and truly been put to rest. Paul O’Grady has been given his own show on ITV - The Paul O’Grady Show, starting this month. It will air on weekdays between 5 and 6pm, and looks set to rival Richard & Judy in the teatime ratings. Paul is no stranger to presenting though, having co-hosted both This Morning and Today with Des and Mel, plus who can forget Blankety Blank. Expect plenty of gossip and giggles in typical Paul fashion.
Eyes Down (again) - September 04
Paul O’Grady is returning for a second series of the BBC bingo sitcom Eyes Down. The sitcom follows the staff and (slightly odd) customers at the fictional Rio Bingo Hall in St Helens. Paul returns as miserable, sharp tongued manager Ray Temple, along with handyman Bobby and dizzy Sandy - people may remember actress Sheridan Smith from Two Pints of Lager and the Royle Family.
Paul’s new outing - 29/09/03
Paul O’Grady will be getting contestants to memorize such things as a cuddly toy and ceramic tea cups as the new host of the Generation Game.
Jim Davison left the show after the ratings plummeted to a low of 3.3 million. Compared to when Bruce Forsyth and Larry Grayson pulled in around 19 million viewers. But now Paul is to host a one off show, which if successful could be turned into a brand new series. A BBC source said ’Paul is a great signing, as he has proved to be the family entertainer that everyone loves’.
My Secret Daughter - 04/08/03
Paul O’Grady, better known as Lily Savage, said that he never admitted to having a daughter, because he mixed in gay circles.
Paul’s only child was from a brief affair with an older woman when he was 17. He said ’I kept her quiet. If you are in a gay environment and say you have a daughter, they look at you like you are a leper.’
But he goes on to say that he has finally resolved his differences with daughter Sharyn, 29. Despite having "a scratchy relationship" at first, they now apparently ’love the bones of each other’.
Lily savage to die! - 26/06/03
Liverpool comedian Paul O’Grady is set to kill off his drag queen alter ego Lily Savage. Before he does, Lily will say goodbye with a nationwide tour. The 48-year-old said: "I’ve just finished this new series and I’m ready for a holiday in America and then there’s panto - but I am looking forward to taking Lily on the road.
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In 1977 Paul worked in Manila at Gussy’s Bar, a well known brothel where he picked up the idea for his own drag act, Lily Savage. He took his creation back to London playing gay pubs and clubs all over the UK with great success. In addition he toured Europe in a number of actsand took on an eight year residency at the Vauxhall Tavern in London.
Nominated for a Perrier Award, in the mid nineties Paul (as Lily) found himself on television, notably taking a guest spot on The Big Breakfast and later presenting Blankety Blank and Lily Live! He also appeared on the West End stage as, among other Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s Child Catcher and Annie’s Miss Hannigan.
In 2000 Paul began to shed the Lily Savage character, appearing on television out of drag, first in Paul O’Grady’s Orient and Paul O’Grady’s America then in Celebrity Driving School and his own sitcom Eyes Down. The Paul O’Grady Show saw the now established presenter running against good friends Richard and Judy and was instrumental in winning him a number of comedy and TV awards. Paul meanwhile claims that Lily Savage has ’seen the light and packed off to a convent in France’.
Paul suffered a well publicised heart attack which forced him to give up his forty a day habit in 2002. However, following the death of his long term partner Brendan Murphy he reportedly took up smoking again despite doctor’s orders.
He lives on a 200 acre farm in Ashford, Kent with his three dogs Buster, Louie and Olga. He will become a grandfather over Christmas 2006.
updated December 2006
October 2007