Paul James Michael O'Grady, MBE (born 14 June 1955) is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio disc-jockey. He achieved fame using his comedic drag queen character, Lily Savage, and later became well known for presenting TV shows as himself, such as The Paul O'Grady Show.
Born to a working-class Irish migrant family in Birkenhead, Cheshire (now Merseyside), O'Grady moved to London in the late 1970s, there working as a peripatetic care officer for Camden Council. It was here in 1978 that he developed his drag act, basing the character of Lily Savage upon traits found among female relatives. Touring Northern England as part of drag mime duo, the Playgirls, he eventually went solo as a stand-up comedian. Performing as Savage for eight years at a South London gay pub, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), he gained a popular following among the city's gay community and used his character to speak out for LGBT rights. After being nominated for a 1992 Perrier Award, he attracted mainstream attention and made various television, radio, and theatrical appearances. As Savage, he presented morning chat show The Big Breakfast (1995–96), game show Blankety Blank (1997–02) and comedy series Lily Live! (2000–01), earning various awards and becoming a well known public figure.
The best of all the Lily shows with guest Barbara Dickson
published: 27 Aug 2015
Lily Savage Funniest Moments: Try Not to LAUGH RIP
Lily Savage was a pioneering Drag Queen that broke ground in the 90s as the first Drag Superstar to lead daytime and primetime TV. Becoming a benchmark by which comedy is judged, Savage's influence is vivid among all British Drag to this day. A persona that was retired nearly 20 years ago, it's harrowing to know, Lily's burgeoning comeback into a entertainment once more has prematurely stopped.
Lily leaves behind a body of master class comedy.
published: 03 Apr 2023
Parkinson 1998 Lily Savage, Cilla Black
published: 01 Apr 2023
Lily Savage epic rant (never-broadcast) (1997)
Paul O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage delivering a foul-mouthed rant on the set of her BBC variety show 'The Lily Savage Show'. Needless to say, the Beeb decided not to broadcast this one.
published: 17 Jul 2016
Lily Savage at Comic Aid
2005
published: 24 Feb 2009
Lily Savage LIVE on TV (going OFF-SCRIPT!)
Carlton didn't know what to DO with Paul O'Grady!
published: 05 Nov 2010
1995 Lily Savage Live & Outrageous At The Garrick Theatre (Complete DVD)
1995 Lily Savage Live & Outrageous At The Garrick Theatre Complete DVD
Filmed in the heart of London's West End, Britains favourite Drag Artiste, Lily Savage, performs an outrageous set using scouse wit and dockers humour. Australian comic Bob Downe joins Lily on stage to play Christopher Dean opposite La Savage's Jayne Torvill.
published: 13 Dec 2017
Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage On Parkinson
Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage on Parkinson
published: 30 Mar 2023
Julian Clary & Lily Savage interview (Big Breakfast, 1995)
Big Breakfast, September 1995 - Julian Clary on the bed with Lily Savage.
Not my copyright, just sharing found ephemera.
published: 05 Jul 2017
Paul O’Grady as Lily Savage, Ireland 1995
Lily Savage on Mary Robinson, Margaret Thatcher and Marlene Dietrich.
When the Irish state took action against the Irish Family Planning Association for the illegal sale of condoms at the Virgin Megastore, Trinity College Dublin invited Lily Savage to take part in a safe sex workshop.
Accepting the invitation Lily Savage demonstrated the use of condoms with the assistance of Mary Robinson, a prominent campaigner for the legal availability of contraception.
It was before she became the president, so I wouldn’t dare call her Mary now, I’ve got great respect for her.
Lily Savage believes the calibre of British politicians such as John Major and Margaret Thatcher leaves a lot to be desired. She blames the Conservative Party in particular for the decimation of the National Health Service (N...
Lily Savage was a pioneering Drag Queen that broke ground in the 90s as the first Drag Superstar to lead daytime and primetime TV. Becoming a benchmark by which...
Lily Savage was a pioneering Drag Queen that broke ground in the 90s as the first Drag Superstar to lead daytime and primetime TV. Becoming a benchmark by which comedy is judged, Savage's influence is vivid among all British Drag to this day. A persona that was retired nearly 20 years ago, it's harrowing to know, Lily's burgeoning comeback into a entertainment once more has prematurely stopped.
Lily leaves behind a body of master class comedy.
Lily Savage was a pioneering Drag Queen that broke ground in the 90s as the first Drag Superstar to lead daytime and primetime TV. Becoming a benchmark by which comedy is judged, Savage's influence is vivid among all British Drag to this day. A persona that was retired nearly 20 years ago, it's harrowing to know, Lily's burgeoning comeback into a entertainment once more has prematurely stopped.
Lily leaves behind a body of master class comedy.
Paul O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage delivering a foul-mouthed rant on the set of her BBC variety show 'The Lily Savage Show'. Needless to say, the Beeb decided...
Paul O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage delivering a foul-mouthed rant on the set of her BBC variety show 'The Lily Savage Show'. Needless to say, the Beeb decided not to broadcast this one.
Paul O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage delivering a foul-mouthed rant on the set of her BBC variety show 'The Lily Savage Show'. Needless to say, the Beeb decided not to broadcast this one.
1995 Lily Savage Live & Outrageous At The Garrick Theatre Complete DVD
Filmed in the heart of London's West End, Britains favourite Drag Artiste, Lily Savage, p...
1995 Lily Savage Live & Outrageous At The Garrick Theatre Complete DVD
Filmed in the heart of London's West End, Britains favourite Drag Artiste, Lily Savage, performs an outrageous set using scouse wit and dockers humour. Australian comic Bob Downe joins Lily on stage to play Christopher Dean opposite La Savage's Jayne Torvill.
1995 Lily Savage Live & Outrageous At The Garrick Theatre Complete DVD
Filmed in the heart of London's West End, Britains favourite Drag Artiste, Lily Savage, performs an outrageous set using scouse wit and dockers humour. Australian comic Bob Downe joins Lily on stage to play Christopher Dean opposite La Savage's Jayne Torvill.
Lily Savage on Mary Robinson, Margaret Thatcher and Marlene Dietrich.
When the Irish state took action against the Irish Family Planning Association for the il...
Lily Savage on Mary Robinson, Margaret Thatcher and Marlene Dietrich.
When the Irish state took action against the Irish Family Planning Association for the illegal sale of condoms at the Virgin Megastore, Trinity College Dublin invited Lily Savage to take part in a safe sex workshop.
Accepting the invitation Lily Savage demonstrated the use of condoms with the assistance of Mary Robinson, a prominent campaigner for the legal availability of contraception.
It was before she became the president, so I wouldn’t dare call her Mary now, I’ve got great respect for her.
Lily Savage believes the calibre of British politicians such as John Major and Margaret Thatcher leaves a lot to be desired. She blames the Conservative Party in particular for the decimation of the National Health Service (NHS).
A man in the audience defends Margaret Thatcher,
She done more for that country for any other leader.
Another member of the audience suggests Lily Savage runs for the role of Prime Minister. She flatly refuses this challenge.
I couldn’t live in Downing Street because there’s no off-licence nearby.
An English woman in the audience says the Irish health service is far worse than the NHS.
You have to live over here to appreciate the National Health Service in London because over here you have to pay for absolutely everything.
Lily Savage tells the tale of when she met the German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich who performed her one woman show at Southport Theatre in May 1973. Marlene Dietrich was considered one of the most glamorous stars of her day, but when Lily met her backstage, she was completely unrecognisable. Nevertheless,
I just thought she was an incredible woman.
She dismisses the book Dietrich’s daughter Maria Riva wrote about her mother, calling it a tissue of lies.
Lily Savage is a character played by British comedian Paul O’Grady.
This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 31 March 1995. The presenter is Gay Byrne.
Lily Savage on Mary Robinson, Margaret Thatcher and Marlene Dietrich.
When the Irish state took action against the Irish Family Planning Association for the illegal sale of condoms at the Virgin Megastore, Trinity College Dublin invited Lily Savage to take part in a safe sex workshop.
Accepting the invitation Lily Savage demonstrated the use of condoms with the assistance of Mary Robinson, a prominent campaigner for the legal availability of contraception.
It was before she became the president, so I wouldn’t dare call her Mary now, I’ve got great respect for her.
Lily Savage believes the calibre of British politicians such as John Major and Margaret Thatcher leaves a lot to be desired. She blames the Conservative Party in particular for the decimation of the National Health Service (NHS).
A man in the audience defends Margaret Thatcher,
She done more for that country for any other leader.
Another member of the audience suggests Lily Savage runs for the role of Prime Minister. She flatly refuses this challenge.
I couldn’t live in Downing Street because there’s no off-licence nearby.
An English woman in the audience says the Irish health service is far worse than the NHS.
You have to live over here to appreciate the National Health Service in London because over here you have to pay for absolutely everything.
Lily Savage tells the tale of when she met the German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich who performed her one woman show at Southport Theatre in May 1973. Marlene Dietrich was considered one of the most glamorous stars of her day, but when Lily met her backstage, she was completely unrecognisable. Nevertheless,
I just thought she was an incredible woman.
She dismisses the book Dietrich’s daughter Maria Riva wrote about her mother, calling it a tissue of lies.
Lily Savage is a character played by British comedian Paul O’Grady.
This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 31 March 1995. The presenter is Gay Byrne.
Lily Savage was a pioneering Drag Queen that broke ground in the 90s as the first Drag Superstar to lead daytime and primetime TV. Becoming a benchmark by which comedy is judged, Savage's influence is vivid among all British Drag to this day. A persona that was retired nearly 20 years ago, it's harrowing to know, Lily's burgeoning comeback into a entertainment once more has prematurely stopped.
Lily leaves behind a body of master class comedy.
Paul O'Grady's alter-ego Lily Savage delivering a foul-mouthed rant on the set of her BBC variety show 'The Lily Savage Show'. Needless to say, the Beeb decided not to broadcast this one.
1995 Lily Savage Live & Outrageous At The Garrick Theatre Complete DVD
Filmed in the heart of London's West End, Britains favourite Drag Artiste, Lily Savage, performs an outrageous set using scouse wit and dockers humour. Australian comic Bob Downe joins Lily on stage to play Christopher Dean opposite La Savage's Jayne Torvill.
Lily Savage on Mary Robinson, Margaret Thatcher and Marlene Dietrich.
When the Irish state took action against the Irish Family Planning Association for the illegal sale of condoms at the Virgin Megastore, Trinity College Dublin invited Lily Savage to take part in a safe sex workshop.
Accepting the invitation Lily Savage demonstrated the use of condoms with the assistance of Mary Robinson, a prominent campaigner for the legal availability of contraception.
It was before she became the president, so I wouldn’t dare call her Mary now, I’ve got great respect for her.
Lily Savage believes the calibre of British politicians such as John Major and Margaret Thatcher leaves a lot to be desired. She blames the Conservative Party in particular for the decimation of the National Health Service (NHS).
A man in the audience defends Margaret Thatcher,
She done more for that country for any other leader.
Another member of the audience suggests Lily Savage runs for the role of Prime Minister. She flatly refuses this challenge.
I couldn’t live in Downing Street because there’s no off-licence nearby.
An English woman in the audience says the Irish health service is far worse than the NHS.
You have to live over here to appreciate the National Health Service in London because over here you have to pay for absolutely everything.
Lily Savage tells the tale of when she met the German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich who performed her one woman show at Southport Theatre in May 1973. Marlene Dietrich was considered one of the most glamorous stars of her day, but when Lily met her backstage, she was completely unrecognisable. Nevertheless,
I just thought she was an incredible woman.
She dismisses the book Dietrich’s daughter Maria Riva wrote about her mother, calling it a tissue of lies.
Lily Savage is a character played by British comedian Paul O’Grady.
This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 31 March 1995. The presenter is Gay Byrne.
Paul James Michael O'Grady, MBE (born 14 June 1955) is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio disc-jockey. He achieved fame using his comedic drag queen character, Lily Savage, and later became well known for presenting TV shows as himself, such as The Paul O'Grady Show.
Born to a working-class Irish migrant family in Birkenhead, Cheshire (now Merseyside), O'Grady moved to London in the late 1970s, there working as a peripatetic care officer for Camden Council. It was here in 1978 that he developed his drag act, basing the character of Lily Savage upon traits found among female relatives. Touring Northern England as part of drag mime duo, the Playgirls, he eventually went solo as a stand-up comedian. Performing as Savage for eight years at a South London gay pub, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), he gained a popular following among the city's gay community and used his character to speak out for LGBT rights. After being nominated for a 1992 Perrier Award, he attracted mainstream attention and made various television, radio, and theatrical appearances. As Savage, he presented morning chat show The Big Breakfast (1995–96), game show Blankety Blank (1997–02) and comedy series Lily Live! (2000–01), earning various awards and becoming a well known public figure.
He has notched up tours, albums, books and a sitcom ... Fellows was 25; his beige vocalist and organist alter ego was in his late 40s ... “And I had to put makeup on ... He goes on. “I remember doing a LilySavage special in Blackpool for TV.
Neighbours and locals said the former LilySavage star was popular, but since his death they have been upset at goings-on connected to the property. O'Grady, who shot to fame as Lily Savage, had lived ...
Yes, the first title is more clickbaity, whetting the prurient viewer’s appetite for the savage, primitive violence that splatters over every other scene ... Not since LilyDale in Trollope’s Chronicles ...
O'Grady, who shot to fame as LilySavage, had lived at Knoll Hill House near Ashford, from 1999 until his death in March 2023 aged 67 ... O'Grady, who shot to fame as Lily Savage, had lived at Knoll Hill ...
Williams died earlier this month at the age of 32 ...View image in fullscreen ... 1.52 ... Beard drew comparisons between The Vivienne’s appearance on Blankety Blank and that of Paul O’Grady, who appeared on the same show as LilySavage more than 25 years ago ... .
TV chiefs hoped to make The Vivienne the next LilySavage, the alter ego of the late Paul O’Grady, due to both stars’ quick wit and Liverpudlian roots ... the game show on which Lily Savage became famous.
TV chiefs hoped to make The Vivienne the next LilySavage, the alter ego of the late Paul O’Grady, due to both stars’ quick wit and Liverpudlian roots ... the game show on which Lily Savage became famous.
The Vivienne was found dead by their heartbroken father and stepmother, according to a friend ... He continued ... Pictured ... Born in Colwyn Bay, Wales, in April 1992, Williams grew up watching LilySavage on TV, citing that as their first exposure to drag ... .
Since the heady days of Danny La Rue the drag phenomenon had been kept alive in Britain largely by the efforts of Paul O’Grady and his caustically witty creation, LilySavage...Williams’ first exposure to drag was watching Lily Savage on television.
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage led the tributes to the winner of the first UK series on social media saying ... Hailed as a trailblazer and an entertainer, The Vivienne grew up watching LilySavage on TV ... .
Since the heady days of Danny La Rue the drag phenomenon had been kept alive in Britain largely by the efforts of Paul O’Grady and his caustically witty creation, LilySavage...Williams’ first exposure to drag was watching Lily Savage on television ... .