Paul O'Grady

Paul O’Grady, was born in Cheshire in 1955. His drag, alter ego character "Lily Savage" brought him to fame, namely in vibrant comedy show’s such as Blankety Blank and Live Live!, as well as touring the UK as part of Playgirls, the drag mime double act. He later became best known as the host of The Paul O’Grady Show and a well-known TV comedian.

After starting acting as Lily Savage in pubs and bars, his theatre debut began in 1981, where he appeared as one of the Ugly Sister's in drag pantomime of Cinderella. He then performed at the Donmar Warehouse, acting in If They’d Asked for a Lion Tamer. Other early theatre roles include playing Nancy in the London Palladium’s adaption of Oliver!. He has also performed in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as well as starring and co-writing a London production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 

Sticking with pantomimes, O’Grady returned to the theatre in December 2016, playing The Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella alongside comedian Julian Clary at the London Palladium. The cast also included Lee Mead, Amanda Holden and Nigel Havers. He returned to the London Palladium in 2019, starring in Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Paul O'Grady passed away at the age of 67 on 28 Mar. 2023.