Paul O’Grady Obituary

Paul O’Grady was an English comedian, broadcaster, actor, writer and former drag queen. He rose to fame notably in the London gay scene during the 1980s with his drag queen persona, Lily Savage, through which he gained broader popularity in the 1990s.

O’Grady developed his drag act in 1978, basing the character Lily Savage upon traits found amongst female relatives. Touring England as part of the drag mime duo, the Playgirls, O’Grady then went solo as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s.

Wishing to diversify from Savage, O’Grady starred in the BBC One sitcom Eye Down and presented Two travel documentaries for ITV. In 2004, he began presenting ITV’s daytime chat show, The Paul O’Grady Show.

O’Grady was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment.

In 2020, he became president of the British Music Hall Society, taking over the role from Roy Hudd. He was a deputy Lieutenant for the country of Kent.

O’Grady died on March 28, 2023, at the age of 67.