Editing Paul O'Grady

{{short description|British comedian, actor and television presenter (1955–2023)}}
{{about|the English comedian and actor}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Paul O'Grady
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE|DL}}
| image              = Paul O'Grady, April 2009 cropped.jpg
| caption            = O'Grady in 2009
| birth_name         = Paul James O'Grady<!-- Please do not change surname to "Grady", that was his father's birth surname. Paul was always called "O'Grady"-->
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|df=yes|1955|6|14}}
| birth_place        = [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]], Cheshire,<!-- Please do not change—it was Cheshire when O'Grady was born and remained so until 1974 when it became Merseyside. --> England
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|2023|3|28|1955|6|14|df=yes}}
| death_place        = [[Aldington, Kent]], England
| burial_place       = [[Church of St Rumwold, Bonnington]], England
| occupation         = {{hlist|Comedian|broadcaster|drag queen|actor|writer}}
| years active       = 1978–2023
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|Teresa Fernandes|1977|2005|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|André Portasio|2017}}}}
| children           = 1
}}
'''Paul James O'Grady''' (14 June 1955 – 28 March 2023) was an English comedian, broadcaster, [[drag queen]], actor, and writer. He achieved notability in the [[LGBT culture in London|London gay scene]] during the 1980s with his drag persona '''Lily Savage''', through which he gained wider popularity in the 1990s. O'Grady subsequently dropped the character and in the 2000s became the presenter of various television and radio shows, including ''[[The Paul O'Grady Show]]''.

<!--Early life and career as Lily Savage-->
Born to a working-class Irish migrant family in [[Tranmere, Cheshire]], O'Grady moved to London in the late 1970s, initially working as a peripatetic care officer for [[Camden London Borough Council|Camden Council]]. He developed his drag act in 1978, basing the character of Lily Savage upon traits found among female relatives. Touring England as part of drag mime duo the Playgirls, O'Grady then went solo as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s. Performing as Savage for eight years at a South London gay pub, the [[Royal Vauxhall Tavern]] (RVT), he gained a popular following among London's gay community and used his character to speak out for [[gay rights]]. After being nominated for a 1992 [[Edinburgh Comedy Awards|Perrier Comedy Award]], O'Grady attracted mainstream attention and made various television, radio, and theatrical appearances. As Savage, he presented the television shows ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'' (1995–1996), ''[[Blankety Blank]]'' (1997–2002), and ''[[Lily Live!]]'' (2000–2001), earning various awards and becoming a well known public figure.

<!--Later life and chat show dominance-->
Wishing to diversify from Savage, O'Grady starred in the [[BBC One]] sitcom ''[[Eyes Down]]'' (2003–2004) and presented two travel documentaries for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]. In 2004, he began presenting ITV's daytime chat show ''The Paul O'Grady Show''. After the network refused to transfer creative control of the series to O'Grady's production company [[Olga TV]], he moved to [[Channel 4]] in 2006, where the show was rebranded as ''The New Paul O'Grady Show,'' airing until 2009. O'Grady presented the late night ITV show ''[[Paul O'Grady Live]]'' (2010–2011) and [[BBC Radio 2]]'s ''[[Paul O'Grady on the Wireless]]'' (2009–2022). Additional television shows included ''[[Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs]]'' (2012–2023), ''[[Paul O'Grady's Animal Orphans]]'' (2014–2016), ''[[Blind Date (British game show)|Blind Date]]'' (2017–2019), and ''Paul O'Grady's Great British Escape'' (2020). He also published several books, including a four-volume memoir.

<!--Reception, legacy, and influence-->
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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/patrons.html|title=Patrons & Officers|publisher=British Music Hall Society|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508222641/http://www.britishmusichallsociety.com/patrons.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 31 October 2022 he was appointed as a [[Deputy Lieutenant]] for the [[Counties of England|County]] of [[Kent]], where he lived for many years.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Deputy Lieutenants of Kent appointed – with familiar face amongst them |url=https://kccmediahub.net/new-deputy-lieutenants-of-kent-appointed-with-familiar-face-amongst-them/ |website=Kent County Council |date=7 November 2022 |access-date=11 November 2022 |archive-date=11 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111143726/https://kccmediahub.net/new-deputy-lieutenants-of-kent-appointed-with-familiar-face-amongst-them/ |url-status=live |last1=Godden |first1=Jo }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Deputy Lieutenant Commissions Lieutenancy of Kent |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4201953 |website=The London Gazette |date=7 November 2022 |access-date=17 October 2023 }}</ref>

==Early life==

=== 1955–1971: Childhood ===
O'Grady was born on 14 June 1955 at [[St Catherine's Health Centre|St. Catherine's Hospital]] in the [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] area of [[Birkenhead]], Cheshire (now [[Merseyside]]).{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=1|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2p=5}} His father, Patrick "Paddy" Grady (1912–1973),<ref name="monster">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/ogradys-monster-1578781.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/ogradys-monster-1578781.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=O'Grady's monster |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=22 October 1995 |access-date=19 November 2010}}</ref> was Irish and had grown up in Ballincurry, [[County Roscommon]], before moving to England in 1936 and settling in the working-class area of Birkenhead. His<!--Patrick's--> name was changed from "Grady" to "O'Grady" in a paperwork mistake when he joined the [[Royal Air Force]], and he kept the new name.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=2–3|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2pp=56–62}} Patrick married Mary "Molly" Savage (1916–1988), who was born in England to Irish immigrants from [[County Louth]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=1|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2p=5}} Paul was their third child; his birth came over a decade after those of brother Brendan (born 1941) and sister Sheila (born 1944).<ref name="monster"/>

O'Grady spent his early life at the family's rented home at 23 Holly Grove in Higher Tranmere.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|p=6}} He later said, "When I look back on my childhood I have no bad memories. Our family was loving and full of affection. I never knew what divorce was until I moved to London. I was an indulged child and completely protected from anything bad."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=3}} Attending St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, O'Grady excelled in all subjects except mathematics. Hoping that he had a good future ahead of him, his parents budgeted to send him to a private school, the Catholic-run [[Redcourt St Anselm's|Redcourt]], but his grades dropped. Failing the [[eleven plus exam]], he was unable to enter a grammar school so attended the Blessed Edward Campion R.C. Secondary Modern and the Corpus Christi High School.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=7, 163–164}} It was at the school that O'Grady experienced his first homosexual encounter, enjoying a brief romance with another boy, although he still assumed he was heterosexual.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|p=169}}

A fan of the popular television series ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' and ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'',{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=169–171}} O'Grady was enrolled in the [[Cub Scouts (The Scout Association)|Cub Scouts]] by his mother, but he hated it, leaving after a month. An [[altar boy]] at a local Catholic church, he was dismissed after laughing during a funeral service.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=179–185}} He then joined the [[Royal Marines Cadets|Marine Cadet Section]] of the [[Sea Cadets (United Kingdom)|Sea Cadet Corps]], later commenting that he was following in the footsteps of his childhood hero, the cartoon character [[Popeye]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|p=191}} He enjoyed the cadets, and at the advice of his captain joined the Boys' Amateur Boxing Club, developing a lifelong love of the sport.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=9|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2pp=192–193}} Playing truant from school, he got into trouble with his parents, and subsequently with the police after burgling a house with three friends.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=185–187, 205–208}} O'Grady's first job was a [[paper round]] that he kept for a week,{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|p=32}} and through this and other jobs, he saved up to afford [[Mod subculture|Mod]] clothes, for a time becoming a [[Suedehead (subculture)|suedehead]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=199–200}}

=== 1972–1977: Early adulthood ===
Leaving school aged 16, O'Grady obtained a job in the civil service, working as a clerical assistant for the [[DHSS]] at their [[Liverpool]] office; he commuted in from his parents' Tranmere home. Supplementing this income, he worked part-time at the bar of the [[Royal Air Forces Association]] (RAFA) club in [[Oxton, Merseyside|Oxton]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=12|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2pp=216–217, 233}} Called for a disciplinary hearing at the DHSS and accused of incompetent behaviour and tardiness, he resigned.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=236–237}} Obtaining a job at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in [[Virginia Water]], Surrey, aged 17, O'Grady moved there; the management accused him of stealing, which he denied.{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=251–270}}

Promptly returning to Birkenhead, he increasingly socialised within the Liverpudlian [[gay scene]], attending meetings of the [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality]] and working at a [[gay bar]] called the Bear's Paw;{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=274, 278–280, 311}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Bear's Paw |url=http://www.lgbthistoryuk.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bear%27s_Paw |website=LGBT History Project |access-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227114524/http://www.lgbthistoryuk.org/wiki/index.php?title=Bear%27s_Paw |archive-date=27 February 2015 }}</ref> this was kept a secret from his parents, to whom he was not "out of [[the closet]]".{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|pp=274, 278–280, 311}} He also had [[casual sex]] with a female friend, Diane Jansen,{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=15–16|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2pp=293–294, 319}} who became pregnant, news which O'Grady discovered in the same week that both his parents suffered heart attacks; his mother made a recovery, but his father died.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=16–22|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2008|2pp=333–340}} Following the birth of his daughter, Sharon Lee Jansen, in May 1974, O'Grady agreed to pay towards her upkeep, but refused to marry Jansen, recognising his homosexuality.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=22–23|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=37–45}}

Briefly working as an assistant clerk at [[Liverpool Magistrates' Court]], O'Grady subsequently worked as a barman at [[Yates's|Yates's Wine Lodge]], supplementing the income with the occasional night at the Bear's Paw.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=13–14|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=27–33}} Realising this wage was insufficient to support both himself and his daughter, he travelled to London, lodging in [[Westbourne Green]], but found only poorly paid work as a barman. In London, he began associating with [[drag queen]]s, particularly a couple who used the stage name of the Harlequeens. Although making friends in the city, O'Grady was homesick and returned to Birkenhead.{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|pp=47–82}} Employed as an accountant in a FMC Meats Merseyside [[abattoir]], he then worked for three years at the Children's Convalescent Home and School in [[West Kirby]], a home for disabled and abused children.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=13|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=84–99, 110}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Strudwick |first=Patrick |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/savage-by-name-why-is-paul-ogrady-so-angry-8219085.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/savage-by-name-why-is-paul-ogrady-so-angry-8219085.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Savage by name: Why is Paul O'Grady so angry? |newspaper=The Independent |date=20 October 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012}}</ref>

Returning to London, he rented a flat in [[Crouch End]] and began busking with a friend in [[Camden Town]] before obtaining a job as a physiotherapist's assistant at the [[Royal Northern Hospital]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|pp=153–171}} Made redundant by public sector cuts, O'Grady took up a job at a gay club called the Showplace, befriending a Portuguese lesbian named Teresa Fernandes. In May 1977, they married to prevent her deportation; they lost contact and only legally divorced in 2005.<ref name="One Show">Paul O'Grady, ''[[The One Show]]'', 16 August 2011</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=34–35|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=176–188}} Taking up jobs as a cleaner and a waiter at private functions,{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|pp=188–199, 203–212}} he began working for [[Camden London Borough Council|Camden Council]] as a peripatetic care officer. Living in with elderly people and dysfunctional families would have a lasting effect on him.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=28–32|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=212–217}}

==Career in drag==

=== 1978–1984: Lily Savage and the drag circuit ===

{{Quote box|width=25em|bgcolor=|align=right|quote=I've frequently been asked over the years who Lily Savage was based on and I've always answered that it was no one in particular and she was just a figment of my imagination. The truth, I realise now, is that Lily owes a lot to the women I encountered in my childhood. Characteristics and attitudes were observed and absorbed, Aunty Chris's in particular, and they provided the roots and compost for the Lily that would germinate and grow later on.|salign = right|source=— Paul O'Grady, 2008{{sfn|O'Grady|2008|p=95}}}}

While working for Camden Social Services, O'Grady made his first attempt at putting together a drag act, creating the character of Lily Savage; he later said, "I wanted to get up there but be larger than life, a creature that was more cartoon than human."{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|pp=224–225}} His debut was on the afternoon of 7 October 1978 at [[The Black Cap]] gay pub in Camden, where his act involved miming the words to [[Barbra Streisand]]'s "Nobody Makes a Pass at Me" from the show ''[[Pins and Needles]]''.{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|pp=239–241}} Following a holiday to Poland,{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|pp=243–253}} he visited an ex-boyfriend in [[Manila]] in the Philippines, there working briefly as a barman and waiter at a brothel.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=25–27|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=261–294}}

Returning to London, O'Grady moved to [[Purley, London|Purley]] and then [[Streatham]] with a drag act, the Glamazons. With one of them, nicknamed "Hush", he founded a two-man drag mime act, the Playgirls, although found little work in London. Agreeing to a tour of northern England, they moved to [[Slaithwaite]], West Yorkshire,{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=24–55}} also accepting a month's work at a club in [[Copenhagen]], Denmark.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=61–70}} Diversifying their act, O'Grady learned [[fire eating]] and developed a striptease while wearing a [[fat suit]] he named "Biddy".{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=77–79}} After Hush returned to London, O'Grady continued his drag performance as a solo act under the name of "Paul Monroe", a reference to [[Marilyn Monroe]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=90–96}} Under financial strain, O'Grady moved back in with his mother in Birkenhead.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=97–105}} Amid mass unemployment, O'Grady [[Welfare dependency|briefly lived off the dole]] before resurrecting the Playgirls with his friend Vera; initially performing in Liverpool, where they were caught up in the [[1981 Toxteth riots]], they began touring other parts of northern England until returning to London.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=114–133}}

Again working as a support worker for Camden Council Social Services,{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=135–138, 144–145}} O'Grady lived in [[Vauxhall]] and then [[Brixton]] before reviving the Playgirls with Hush, devising an act based upon the film ''[[What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962 film)|What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?]]''{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=143–154}} At the end of the year, he appeared as an [[Ugly sisters|Ugly Sister]] in a drag [[pantomime]] of ''[[Cinderella]]''.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=157–159}} In March 1983 he joined the [[Equity (trade union)|Equity]] union, allowing him to take a role in the theatrical adaptation of ''If They'd Asked for a Lion Tamer'' at the [[Donmar Warehouse]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=161–163}} The Playgirls gained bookings to appear across London, and also in [[Amsterdam]] and Copenhagen; O'Grady and Hush joined with drag artist David Dale to form an act known as "LSD", which stood for "Lily, Sandra, and Doris". Devising an act that parodied children's television show ''[[Andy Pandy]]'', they gained bookings across London and in [[Edinburgh]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=166–174}}

=== 1984–1992: Residency in Vauxhall ===

In 1984, O'Grady began work as a barman at a Vauxhall gay pub, the Elephant and Castle. As Lily, he compered "[[Ladies' night|Ladies Night]]" each Tuesday, where amateur drag acts would perform.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=37–39|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2012|2pp=176–189}} As compere, he tried out comedy routines, becoming known for insulting both the acts and the audience; he attracted growing crowds and he was interviewed by artist [[Patrick Procktor]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=176–189}} After six months, he transferred his act to the nearby [[Royal Vauxhall Tavern]] (RVT) gay pub, re-opening his show on Thursday nights as "Stars of the Future".{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=45|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2012|2pp=190–191}} In 1985 he obtained his own [[council flat]] in Vauxhall's Victoria Mansions.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=211, 273}} During the mid-1980s, he entered a relationship with Brendan "Murph" Murphy, the manager of a [[gay sauna]] near [[the Oval]], [[Kennington]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=35–36|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2012|2pp=221–225}} Murphy subsequently became O'Grady's manager.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=277}}

[[File:Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall, SE11 (2866697236).jpg|thumb|left|In 1985, O'Grady began compering in the role of Lily Savage at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT).]]

Eventually appearing at the RVT three times a week, on Sundays O'Grady began performing at the Union Tavern in [[Camberwell]] and the [[Goldsmiths Tavern]] in [[New Cross]], where he often preceded [[Vic Reeves]]' three-hour show ''[[Vic Reeves Big Night Out]]''.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=219, 231, 237}} Quitting his council work, he focused full-time on his career as Lily, taking his act across the country and abroad.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=244–247, 269–272}} Other venues he performed at included the [[Madame Jojo's]] club in [[Soho]],{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=52|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=31}} the [[Bloomsbury Theatre]],{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|pp=89–96}} and the [[Heaven (nightclub)|Heaven]] nightclub.{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|pp=48–49}} Befriending American drag queen [[Divine (performer)|Divine]] and his manager Bernard Jay, Jay booked O'Grady to appear in [[Fort Lauderdale]], Florida.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=276–283}} As Divine had done, O'Grady also recorded his own [[Hi-NRG]] song, "Tough at the Top", which was produced by DJ [[Ian Levine]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=54–55}} In 1988, he performed as Madame in ''The Scythe of Reason'',{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=215–217}} and appeared at the [[Glasgow Mayfest]], where he developed a lifelong friendship with actor [[Ian McKellen]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=284–285}}

O'Grady used his act to speak out on issues affecting the gay community, especially during the [[HIV/AIDS]] crisis.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=231–233, 268}} In April 1988 he took part in a march against [[Section 28]], a policy introduced by [[Margaret Thatcher]]'s [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] government that many denounced as [[homophobic]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=284}} Regularly doing charity fundraisers for HIV/AIDS research, many of his friends died from AIDS-related complications;{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=263–268}} he later related that "People my age will never get over the horrors."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/commentisfree/2016/apr/20/a-generation-of-artists-were-wiped-out-by-aids-and-we-barely-talk-about-it-robert-mapplethorpe |title=A generation of artists were wiped out by Aids and we barely talk about it |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=21 April 2016 |first=Suzanne |last=Moore |author-link=Suzanne Moore |access-date=21 April 2016 |archive-date=20 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420234352/http://www.theguardian.com/society/commentisfree/2016/apr/20/a-generation-of-artists-were-wiped-out-by-aids-and-we-barely-talk-about-it-robert-mapplethorpe |url-status=live }}</ref> He performed in a play about the disease at the [[King's Head Theatre]] in [[Islington]], befriending co-star [[Amanda Mealing]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=60–62|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=175–179}}

From 1989 to 1992 O'Grady performed annually as Lily at the [[Edinburgh Fringe]], gaining increasing recognition.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=63}} He was nominated for the 1991 [[Perrier Award]] alongside [[Jack Dee]], [[Eddie Izzard]], and (the ultimate winner) [[Frank Skinner]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=63–64|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=114}} He later related that "The Edinburgh Festival changed my life. The experience opened doors for me that would otherwise have been firmly closed, exposing me to a much wider audience than I'd previously been used to."{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|p=119}} O'Grady followed this with a show titled ''Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire''; a sell-out, it was the first time that his performance was recorded.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=64–65|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=119}} In 1992 he embarked on an Australian tour, performing alongside the Australian comedian [[Mark Trevorrow]],{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|pp=120–153}} and proceeded to Los Angeles, where he was present for the [[1992 Los Angeles riots|1992 riots in that city]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|pp=154–158}}

O'Grady obtained his breakthrough into television when he played the character of a
[[transvestite]] prostitute informant, Roxanne, in three episodes of [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]'s police drama ''[[The Bill]]'' between 1988 and 1990.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=56–58|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2012|2pp=291–233, 300–303}} Just before filming on the first episode, O'Grady's mother died.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=58|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2012|2pp=296–300, 304–305}} In 1990 he appeared in the ITV miniseries ''[[Chimera (British TV series)|Chimera]]'' as a social worker; during filming he befriended co-star [[Liza Tarbuck]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=65|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=100–102}} He followed this with a performance as a [[Marlene Dietrich]]-style cabaret singer in an episode of [[Rik Mayall]]'s ITV comedy ''[[The New Statesman (1987 TV series)|The New Statesman]]''.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=65|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=179–80}} He had continued to perform regularly at the RVT, and after the proprietors Pat and Breda McConnor decided to move on, he and Murphy unsuccessfully sought to replace them.{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|p=203}} O'Grady never performed at the RVT again after the McConnors left.{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|p=205}}

=== 1992–1998: Mainstream success ===
[[File:Lily Savage costume, Museum of Liverpool.jpg|thumb|right|One of O'Grady's Lily Savage costumes on display at the [[Museum of Liverpool]] ]]

After leaving the RVT, O'Grady continued to tour as Lily and released [[VHS]] videos of his performances.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=70–71}} Gaining further public exposure through an appearance on the late-night [[Channel 4]] comedy show ''[[Viva Cabaret!]]'',{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=68|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=205}} he appeared on an episode of [[BBC]] quiz show ''[[That's Showbusiness]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=69–70}} Moving into radio, he began making regular appearances as Lily on ''[[Woman's Hour]]'' and ''[[Loose Ends (radio)|Loose Ends]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=67}} Also moving into film, he travelled to [[Dublin]], Ireland to play an inmate in the 1993 film ''[[In the Name of the Father]]''; although not in the Lily character, he was credited as "Paul Savage".{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=70–71|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=190–191, 194–202}} In character as Lily, he appeared on an October 1994 episode of BBC series ''[[Steve Wright (DJ)|The Steve Wright People Show]]'',{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=72}} had a cameo in the soap ''[[Brookside (TV series)|Brookside]]'' the following month,{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=75|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=244–245}} and presented an episode of BBC music show ''[[Top of the Pops]]''.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=76|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=224}} He also appeared as a female pirate in an episode of BBC children's show ''[[Pirates (TV series)|Pirates]]''.{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|pp=245–247}}

Employed to narrate the [[BBC 2]] series ''Life Swaps'',{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=24–25|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=222–224}} he was also given his own late-night Channel 4 series, ''Live from the Lilydrome'', which was filmed in a [[working men's club]] in [[Blackpool]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=79–80|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=231–233}} Given top billing at the gay rights charity [[Stonewall (charity)|Stonewall]]'s 1994 Equality Show in [[Albert Hall]],{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=75}} he also played the role of Nancy in the [[London Palladium]]'s performance of the musical ''[[Oliver!]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=79}} Reflecting his increasing success in mainstream British comedy, in 1994 he was nominated for both Top Live Stand-Up Comedian and Top Television Comedy Newcomer at the [[British Comedy Awards]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=74}} Some in the South London gay scene were critical of O'Grady, accusing him of being a [[sell out]]; he fiercely denied these accusations, stating that "I've done nearly ten years on the factory floor and now I feel I deserve a shot in the office."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=80}}

After [[Paula Yates]] resigned as presenter of the Channel 4 morning television program ''[[The Big Breakfast]]'', its production company [[Planet 24]] employed O'Grady to replace her. A four-week ''Lie-in with Lily'' was commissioned as a trial run.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=85–88|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=234–235}} As Lily, O'Grady ignored the suggested questions of PR agents and instead asked personal questions of his guests; having attracted 2 million viewers, Planet 24 renewed his contract to keep him on as presenter.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=88–89}} Through contacts made in showbusiness, he befriended many [[A-list]] celebrities, among them [[Elton John]] and [[Cher]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=109–110}} O'Grady found the early morning starts difficult, particularly as he was also appearing as Lily in a [[Prisoner Cell Block H: The Musical|musical version of ''Prisoner Cell Block H'']] at the [[Sondheim Theatre|Queen's Theatre]] in [[London's West End]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=90–95|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=247–248}} When the musical then toured the UK, O'Grady took a break from ''The Big Breakfast'' to accompany it.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=99–100}}

He took his new dog, a [[shih tzu]]-[[bichon frisé]] cross named Buster, with him on tour;{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=100|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=261–263}} O'Grady later commented that "He was never happier than in a TV studio or theatre... Buster knew all the theatre doormen and loved being fussed over. He was a smashing dog."{{sfn|Scoular|2014|p=25}} At the time, O'Grady had been making greater attempts to get to know his teenage daughter; the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' tabloid treated her existence as a headline scandal in autumn 1994.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=96–99}} Critical of the media, O'Grady condemned them for solely referring to him as a drag queen; he commented that [[Barry Humphries]], who played the character of [[Dame Edna Everage]], was "never called a drag act because he's a heterosexual male. But I'm called one because I'm a gay man. It's homophobic and it's wrong as there is nothing remotely sexual about what I do. I dress up as a woman for financial purposes, nothing else."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=125}}

In April 1996, O'Grady filmed a performance at the [[The London Studios|LWT Tower]] as ''An Evening with Lily Savage'', broadcast on ITV in November. A hit, it was awarded Best Entertainment Program at the 1997 [[National Television Awards]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=103–107|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=283–287}} He turned down ITV's subsequent offer of a weekly show because it would air before the [[Watershed (broadcasting)|watershed]] and thus force him to drastically alter his act into a form of [[light entertainment]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=107}} With Murphy he then established a production company, Wildflower.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=109}} Returning to theatre, he performed ''The Lily Savage Show'' for a 16-week sell-out run at Blackpool's [[North Pier, Blackpool|North Pier Theatre]] and then ''Lily's Christmas Cracker'' at the [[Blackpool Opera House]], the latter filmed for broadcast by the [[BBC]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=107–108|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=290–298, 307–315}} At this juncture, he agreed to appear as Lily in adverts for the [[Ford Escort (Europe)|Ford Escort]],{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=111–112|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=317}} subsequently appearing in ad campaigns for [[Pretty Polly (hosiery)|Pretty Polly]] tights, the soft drink [[Oasis (drink)|Oasis]], and a bingo company.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=125–126|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=317}} Earnings from these performances allowed him to move out of his Vauxhall council flat and into a house near [[Tower Bridge]] in [[South London]].{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=109|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2pp=250–251}} He also purchased a flat in [[Saltaire]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|p=323}}

==Television==

=== 1998–2003: ''Blankety Blank'', travel shows, and ''Eyes Down'' ===
[[File:Lily savage wardrobe 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Several of O'Grady's Lily Savage costumes on display at the Walker Art Gallery]]

In 1998, the BBC produced a six-week Sunday series titled ''The Lily Savage Show'', during which he interviewed guests like [[Elton John]], [[Alan Yentob]], and [[Anthea Turner]]. O'Grady found the scripted, non-spontaneous nature of the series difficult, and it was not well received.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=118–122}} As Lily, O'Grady was invited on to other television chat shows, such as ''[[Richard and Judy]]'';{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1p=126|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2015|2p=240}} he appeared in a Christmas special of cookery show ''[[Ready, Steady, Cook]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=129}} He went on an eight-week tour as Lily,{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=128–129}} before starring as Miss Hannigan in a West End revival of the musical ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=129–131}} He subsequently accompanied the show's tour of the UK,{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=133}} before appearing in [[pantomime]] in Birmingham.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=140}}

The BBC decided to revive the quiz show ''[[Blankety Blank]]'', previously hosted by [[Terry Wogan]] and [[Les Dawson]]. They selected O'Grady to present the show as Lily, allowing him to ad lib rather than follow a script.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=122–124}} Screened on primetime Saturday night, ''Blankety Blank'' proved a ratings winner, attracting an audience of 9 million. ITV then purchased it, offering O'Grady a two-year deal for £1&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=141–142}} ITV let him be more risque in his use of humour on ''Blankety Blank'', and also commissioned a new comedy series, ''[[Lily Live!]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=143}} This show also proved a success, earning O'Grady nominations for both the Best Comedy Entertainment Personality and Programme at the 2000 [[British Comedy Awards]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=164}} With increased earnings—his assets were estimated to total £4&nbsp;million{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=166}}—in 1999 O'Grady purchased a house in [[Aldington, Kent]] from comedian [[Vic Reeves]], decorating it in an [[art nouveau]] style and establishing a [[Smallholding#Smallholdings in Britain|smallholding]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=137–139, 274}}

Tired of appearing as Lily, O'Grady decided to try to make a career for himself outside of drag.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=143–144}} He appeared as himself in an advert campaign for Double Two shirt-makers,{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=146–148}} before pitching a six-part [[Travel literature|travelogue]] series to ITV, who agreed to part-fund it. The project resulted in ''Paul O'Grady's Orient'', for which he travelled throughout East and Southeast Asia. Although poorly received by the tabloid press, it achieved good ratings, and ITV commissioned a second series, ''Paul O'Grady's America'', in which he visited various U.S. cities. Again it received poor tabloid reviews.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=149–160, 165, 167}} O'Grady suffered a bout of clinical depression,{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=170–175}} but recovered in time to perform alongside [[Cilla Black]] and [[Barbara Windsor]] in a [[burlesque]] rendition of "[[Gypsy (musical)|You Gotta Get a Gimmick]]" at the 2001 [[Royal Variety Performance]]; the televised event attracted 11.5&nbsp;million viewers.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=176–180}}

In April 2002, O'Grady had a heart attack, which doctors attributed to a combination of a [[congenital heart defect|congenital family heart problems]] with stress, [[health effects of tobacco|heavy smoking]], and [[caffeine]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=181–185}} His recovery meant missing the Heritage Foundation Awards ceremony, where he was awarded television personality of the year award.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=187}} Returning to work, he appeared as the [[Child Catcher]] in a twelve-week run of the musical ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' at the [[London Palladium]], receiving good reviews.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=192–194}} He followed this with a Christmas season as the Wicked Queen in the pantomime ''Snow White'' at [[Manchester Opera House]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=197}}

In 2003, O'Grady appeared in ''[[Celebrity Driving School]]'', a BBC [[Comic Relief]] show in which he learned to drive, alongside [[Nadia Sawalha]] and [[Jade Goody]]. One of his tantrums on the shows was nominated for a Best Television Moment of the Year Award.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=201–202}} Although turning down most offers to appear in a sitcom, he agreed to play the manager of a Merseyside [[bingo hall]] in the BBC series ''[[Eyes Down]]'', commenting: "He's an evil, twisted man who hates everything that moves. Not exactly a challenge for me".{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=202–207}} Screened in the prime Friday night slot, the show was popular with viewers, if not reviewers, and was renewed for a second series in 2004.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=206–207, 214}} The BBC were also planning on reviving ''[[The Generation Game]]''; O'Grady presented two pilot episodes in late 2003 but left the project, unhappy with the result.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=208–209}} O'Grady ended 2003 in [[pantomime]] at the [[Bristol Hippodrome]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=213–214}}

=== 2004–2011: ''The Paul O'Grady Show'' and ''Paul O'Grady Live'' ===
{{main|The Paul O'Grady Show}}

{{Quote box|width=25em|align=right|quote=I just want the show to be like a party, a group of pals gabbing away about the first things that come into their heads. There are always enough things in life to worry and get depressed about. I want my show to take our minds off all that stuff, even if it's only for a while.|source=Paul O'Grady, {{circa|2004}}{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=xiii}} }}

O'Grady temporarily stood in for [[Des O'Connor]] on ITV's lunchtime chat show ''[[Today with Des and Mel]]'', enjoying the feeling of presenting live.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=209}} ITV executives then offered him his own daytime chat show: ''The Paul O'Grady Show''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=215, 217}} There was initial press concern that O'Grady's style of adult humour would not be appropriate for a daytime slot, but ITV's controller of entertainment, Mark Wells, declared that "Paul is one of the funniest people on television&nbsp;– he deserves to be on it far more than he is."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=218}}

The show first aired in October 2004 from 5&nbsp;pm to 6&nbsp;pm and saw O'Grady interviewing celebrity guests; it represented "a glorious mix of seemingly unscripted banter, chat and slapstick humour".{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=218}} In producing the show, O'Grady worked with many old friends, including warm-up man [[Andy Collins (TV presenter)|Andy Collins]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=viii}} The series was a hit, attaining between 2.5 and 2.7&nbsp;million viewers daily.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=220, 222}} According to O'Grady biographer Neil Simpson, the series was "a riotous, endearingly [[kitsch]] romp with no pretensions to be anything other than pure entertainment. In some ways it was pure vaudeville[...] There were novelty acts, talking dogs, whistling goldfish, extraordinary stories. His audience laughed like drains at his anecdotes and were brought right into the heart of the show."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=218–219}} The inclusion of his dog, Buster, on the show proved particularly popular with audiences.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=229–230}} The show gained a devoted following, with many fans attending the screenings; often, as many as a hundred had to be turned away.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=ix}} Describing those attending the screenings, Simpson noted that "Groups of middle aged women dominate—but they are joined by beautiful twenty-something women with flawless make-up, flash City boys with [[Louis Vuitton]] briefcases, hip-looking students out for a good time and pensioners just wanting a laugh in the afternoon."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=x}}

{{Quote box|width=25em|align=left|quote=On or off camera it is the brilliant anecdotes about his life and the endless stream of trenchant opinions on the world in general that keep Paul's fans coming back for more.|source=Biographer Neil Simpson, 2008{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=xi}} }}

The show's viewing figures exceeded those of Channel 4's daytime chat show, ''Richard & Judy''. Tabloids stoked the rivalry between the shows, calling it the "Chat Wars".{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=220–221}} O'Grady claimed that tabloids had been publishing false quotations attributed to him, describing Richard and Judy as "a lovely couple and we certainly haven't fallen out."{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=222–224}} At Christmas 2004, O'Grady starred in a pantomime, ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'', at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre]] in London's West End.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=224–225}} After the second series of ''The Paul O'Grady Show'' was commissioned, in March 2005 it was awarded Best Daytime Programme by the [[Royal Television Society]], and O'Grady was subsequently awarded Best Entertainment Performance at the [[BAFTA]]s.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=230}} In August controversy arose after it was revealed that the staff member responsible for interviewing the show's prospective child reporters had written derogatory notes about them; O'Grady dismissed the staff member responsible and issued a public apology.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=245–247}}

In June 2005, Murphy died of [[brain cancer]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=233–239}} Prior to Murphy's death, O'Grady had promised him that his production company—now named [[Olga TV]] after one of O'Grady's dogs—would take creative control over ''The Paul O'Grady Show''. ITV refused to allow this, and so O'Grady moved the show to Channel 4, where it was renamed ''The New Paul O'Grady Show''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=252–254, 256}} Press accused O'Grady of moving in pursuit of a higher salary;{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=258–259}} Channel 4 offered him a contract for £2&nbsp;million a year, making him one of Britain's highest-paid television stars.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=255}}

[[File:Paul O'Grady.jpg|thumb|right|O'Grady at the 2009 funeral of actress [[Wendy Richard]]]]

In June 2006, O'Grady suffered a second massive heart attack, undergoing an [[angioplasty]];{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=269–272}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5135750.stm |title=O'Grady is admitted to hospital |work=[[BBC News]] |date=30 June 2006 |access-date=27 April 2008 |archive-date=21 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021081235/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5135750.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> he received around 7000 get-well-soon cards and letters from fans.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=281}} He returned to work for the second series of ''The New Paul O'Grady Show'' in September, during which the show's viewing figures hit a new peak.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=280–282}} To deal with his health issues, he began taking a week off mid-series, where he was replaced by guest presenters.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=285}} O'Grady subsequently won the Ten Years at the Top award at the TV Quick and TV Choice awards.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=283}}

The tabloids tried to re-ignite the "chat wars" by claiming a rivalry between O'Grady and other daytime television shows such as ''[[The Sharon Osbourne Show]]'' and ''[[The Brian Conley Show]]''.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=279}} Amid the later [[News International phone hacking scandal]], police from [[Operation Weeting]] informed him that ''[[News of the World]]'' reporter [[Glenn Mulcaire]] had hacked his mobile phone. He decided not to sue.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=336–337}} 2006 also saw the start of his relationship with future-husband André Portasio, a ballet dancer.<ref name="Portasio"/>
In 2008, O'Grady had a cameo as himself in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' episode "[[The Stolen Earth]]",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a89758/paul-ogrady-to-appear-in-doctor-who.html |title=Paul O'Grady to appear in ''Doctor Who'' |first=Simon |last=Reynolds |website=[[Digital Spy]] |date=20 February 2008 |access-date=18 May 2008 |archive-date=16 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516162216/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a89758/paul-ogrady-to-appear-in-doctor-who.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and appeared in ''[[Ghosthunting With...|Ghosthunting with Paul O'Grady and Friends]]'', filmed in [[Palermo]], Sicily.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul's ghost hunt was a real scream |last=Shennan |first=Paddy |website=Liverpool Echo |date=3 September 2008 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pauls-ghost-hunt-real-scream-3471475 |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607131456/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/pauls-ghost-hunt-real-scream-3471475 |url-status=live }}</ref> 2008 also saw publication of the first volume of O'Grady's memoirs, ''At My Mother's Knee&nbsp;... And Other Low Joints'', published by [[Bantam Books|Bantam]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Exclusive: Paul O'Grady on his childhood memories |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/exclusive-paul-ogrady-on-his-childhood-memories-342388 |access-date=4 July 2017 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=29 September 2008 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904195906/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/exclusive-paul-ogrady-on-his-childhood-memories-342388 |url-status=live }}</ref> The second volume, ''The Devil Rides Out: The Second Coming'', followed in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-devil-rides-out/paul-ogrady/9780553824636|title=The Devil Rides Out: The Second Coming|website=Waterstones|accessdate=29 March 2023|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329121228/https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-devil-rides-out/paul-ogrady/9780553824636|url-status=live}}</ref>

After budget talks broke down with Channel 4, O'Grady ended ''The New Paul O'Grady Show''. In October 2009, O'Grady agreed to an £8&nbsp;million deal with ITV to host a Friday prime-time chat-show, ''[[Paul O'Grady Live]]''.<ref name="ITV return">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a181926/paul-ogrady-agrees-to-itv-return.html |title=Paul O'Grady 'agrees to ITV return' |date=14 October 2009 |last=Kilkelly |first=Daniel |website=Digital Spy |access-date=14 October 2009 |archive-date=15 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015171100/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a181926/paul-ogrady-agrees-to-itv-return.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=324}} The first series aired from September to November 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/paulogradylive/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127042706/http://www.itv.com/paulogradylive/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2013 |title=Paul O'Grady Live |website=ITV Entertainment |access-date=19 November 2010 }}</ref> In October, O'Grady attracted media attention after calling the [[Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition government]] "bastards" on his show for mass cuts to social services.{{sfn|Media Monkey|2010}}{{sfn|Lawson|2010}}{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=324–325}} He also voiced his support for student protesters who [[2010 UK student protests#10 November|had occupied and vandalised]] the Conservative Party headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2010/11/paul-o-grady-supports-student-protestors/ |title=Paul O'Grady supports student protestors |website=Coalition of Resistance |date=13 November 2010 |access-date=5 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216004057/http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2010/11/paul-o-grady-supports-student-protestors/ |archive-date=16 December 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swp.org.uk/video/11/11/2010/paul-ogrady-supports-student-protestors |title=Paul O'Grady supports student protestors |website=Swp.org.uk|access-date=5 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927162947/http://www.swp.org.uk/video/11/11/2010/paul-ogrady-supports-student-protestors |archive-date=27 September 2011 }}</ref> [[Ofcom]] received several complaints over the incident.{{sfn|Lawson|2010}} ''Paul O'Grady Live'' was picked up for a second series from April to July 2011, and included a special devoted to American pop star [[Lady Gaga]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=328–329}} In October, ITV axed ''Paul O'Grady Live''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a344112/paul-ogrady-live-cancelled-by-itv.html |title='Paul O'Grady Live' cancelled by ITV? |first=Catriona |last=Wightman |website=Digital Spy |date=6 October 2011 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728111558/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a344112/paul-ogrady-live-cancelled-by-itv.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a344337/paul-ogrady-on-chatshow-end-everythings-hunky-dory-with-itv.html |title=Paul O'Grady on chatshow end: 'Everything's hunky dory with ITV' |first=Ryan |last=Love |website=Digital Spy |date=7 October 2011 |access-date=23 November 2012 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728110657/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a344337/paul-ogrady-on-chatshow-end-everythings-hunky-dory-with-itv.html |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Grady stated that ITV had asked him to return for a third series, but that he had refused, claiming that he had had enough of the chat show format,{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=324}}<ref name="Hardy">[[#Har12|Hardy 2012]].</ref> and that he was fed up with the "interference" from the show's producers.<ref name="Hardy"/>
That month, he also performed in ''[[Drama at Inish]]'' at the [[Finborough Theatre]] in [[Earl's Court]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=331–334}}

=== 2012–2023: Animal shows, ''Blind Date'', and final works ===

2012 saw the launch of ITV documentary series ''[[Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs]]'', covering life at [[Battersea Dogs and Cats Home]] in south London. O'Grady commented that he had wanted to do such a show for years and that he took to it with an "enthusiasm that surprised everyone except me". Although scheduled to initially film at the centre for six days, he stayed as a volunteer for six months.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=352–356}} At the end of the first series, O'Grady was invited to become an ambassador for the centre, and a bronze statue of his late dog, Buster, was erected on a plinth at the centre.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=356}} He also adopted a dog from the home; a [[Jack Russell Terrier|Jack Russell]]–[[Chihuahua (dog)|Chihuahua]] cross named Eddy.{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=356}} Through the series he developed a friendship with actor [[Tom Hardy]], who appeared in one episode.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul O'Grady talks friendship with Tom Hardy: 'We text each other' |last=Powell |first=Emma |date=18 April 2017 |website=Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/paul-o-grady-talks-friendship-with-tom-hardy-we-text-each-other-a3517546.html |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607134413/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/paul-o-grady-talks-friendship-with-tom-hardy-we-text-each-other-a3517546.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Battersea Dogs and Cats Home - geograph.org.uk - 617340.jpg|thumb|left|Through his series ''For the Love of Dogs'', O'Grady built links with the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in South London, becoming an ambassador for the charity.]]

In April 2012, O'Grady appeared on ''[[The One and Only (TV programme)|The One and Only Des O'Connor]]'', a one-off special for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] which looked back on the life of [[Des O'Connor]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-03-15/itv-commissions-des-oconnor-tribute-show |title=ITV commissions Des O'Connor tribute show |date=15 March 2012 |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131413/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-03-15/itv-commissions-des-oconnor-tribute-show/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In October 2012, the third volume of his memoirs, ''Still Standing: The Savage Years'', was released.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Groskop |first1=Viv |title=Book review: Still Standing The Savage Years by Paul O'Grady |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/354931/Book-review-Still-Standing-The-Savage-Years-by-Paul-O-Grady |access-date=4 July 2017 |newspaper=Daily Express |date=28 October 2012 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904205404/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/354931/Book-review-Still-Standing-The-Savage-Years-by-Paul-O-Grady |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2012, O'Grady also revived his Lily Savage character for a cameo in ''Paul O'Grady's Little Cracker'', a Christmas short story.<ref name="Nicholson"/> He later expressed criticism of the show ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' and the contemporary drag performers on it, stating: "It's all about shading and contouring your face now and being like supermodels [...] This new brigade who just parade around going, sashay, shantay—that's not drag to me", lacking the comedic element common to drag queens of his generation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Welsh |first=Daniel |title=Alan Carr Backtracks After Claiming Paul O'Grady Would Join Him On RuPaul's Drag Race UK |website=HuffPost |date=15 February 2019 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rupauls-drag-race-paul-ogrady_uk_5c6686a1e4b01757c36a3843 |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607141439/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rupauls-drag-race-paul-ogrady_uk_5c6686a1e4b01757c36a3843 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2013, O'Grady narrated the ITV documentary ''Me and My Guide Dog'' following the work of Guide Dogs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week27/me-and-my-guide-dog |title=Me and my Guide Dog |website=ITV Press Centre |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209182058/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week27/me-and-my-guide-dog |url-status=dead }}</ref> In April 2013, O'Grady presented a documentary about [[burlesque]] performer [[Gypsy Rose Lee]] as part of ITV's ''[[Perspectives (TV series)|Perspectives]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep5week16/perspectives |title=Perspectives Episode 5 |website=ITV.com |date=14 April 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214103/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep5week16/perspectives |url-status=dead }}</ref> That month, he also presented ITV's ''[[British Animal Honours]]'' award ceremony.{{sfn|Media Monkey|2013}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week16/british-animal-honours-2013 |title=The British Animal Honours 2013 Episode 1 |website=ITV.com |date=18 April 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213310/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week16/british-animal-honours-2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/press-release/animal-friends-insurance-has-announced-their-sponsorship-of-itvs-the-british-animal-honours-2013/ |title=AFI Sponsors British Animal Honours 2013 |website=Animalfriends.org.uk |date=10 April 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=27 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127052653/https://www.animalfriends.co.uk/press-release/animal-friends-insurance-has-announced-their-sponsorship-of-itvs-the-british-animal-honours-2013/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, ITV revived ''The Paul O'Grady Show''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/ogrady-back-for-teatime-chat-show-29242140.html |title=O'Grady back for teatime chat show |newspaper=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=4 May 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220105/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/news/ogrady-back-for-teatime-chat-show-29242140.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/p30779-ogrady/ |title=Paul O'Grady to revive teatime chat show for ITV |website=[[ATV Today]] |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213156/http://www.atvtoday.co.uk/p30779-ogrady/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November, O'Grady suffered an angina attack and underwent further heart surgery.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paul-ogrady-hospital-after-angina-2805966 |title=Paul O'Grady in hospital after angina attack as friends fear for workaholic TV star |first=Tom |last=Bryant |date=19 November 2013 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033034/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paul-ogrady-hospital-after-angina-2805966 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, O'Grady guest starred as cancer patient Tim Connor in three episodes of the BBC medical drama ''[[Holby City]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23047853 |title=Paul O'Grady to star in Holby City |work=BBC News |date=26 June 2013 |access-date=14 August 2013 |archive-date=27 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627092536/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23047853 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 31 October 2013, O'Grady recorded a non-broadcast pilot for a [[BBC One]] sitcom called ''Led Astray'', starring alongside [[Cilla Black]]. The show was not commissioned for a full series due to the pair's busy schedules.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/led_astray_31oct13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131001163039/http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/led_astray_31oct13 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2013 |title=Be in the audience&nbsp;– Led Astray |publisher=BBC |access-date=1 October 2013 }}</ref><ref name="The Huffington Post">{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/17/paul-o-grady-dog-olga-cancer-treatment_n_4977744.html |title=Paul O'Grady Spends £8k on Dog Olga's Cancer Treatment |website=The Huffington Post UK |date=17 March 2014 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=18 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418221534/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/17/paul-o-grady-dog-olga-cancer-treatment_n_4977744.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, O'Grady presented two-part [[BBC]] documentary series ''Paul O'Grady's Working Britain'', which was nominated for a [[National Television Award]] in January 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2013/33/paulogradyPIwk33.html |title=Paul O'Grady's Working Britain |website=BBC Media Centre |date=15 August 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-date=2 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802094834/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2013/33/paulogradyPIwk33.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 16 October 2013, O'Grady presented ''[[The One and Only Cilla Black]]'', a 90-minute [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] special celebrating Cilla Black's 50 years in show business.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cillablack.com/cpt_shows/the-one-and-only-cilla-black-tv-show/ |title=The One and Only Cilla Black |website=CillaBlack.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209185438/http://www.cillablack.com/cpt_shows/the-one-and-only-cilla-black-tv-show/ |archive-date=9 February 2015 }}</ref> The show was later repeated shortly after Cilla Black's death in August 2015, with O'Grady presenting a short tribute to her to introduce the show.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/595886/Cilla-Black-dead-ITV-documentary-Sheridan-Smith-Cilla |title=Cilla Black: ITV to air special documentary honouring national treasure tonight |first=Adam |last=Miller |date=4 August 2015 |newspaper=Daily Express |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082111/https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/595886/Cilla-Black-dead-ITV-documentary-Sheridan-Smith-Cilla |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Conlan |first=Tara |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/03/cilla-black-tribute-to-air-on-itv |title=Cilla Black tribute to air on ITV |date=3 August 2015 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312072757/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/03/cilla-black-tribute-to-air-on-itv |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rigby |first=Sam |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a661547/itv-is-airing-a-special-tribute-to-cilla-black-on-tuesday-night/ |title=ITV is airing a special tribute to Cilla Black |date=3 August 2015 |work=Digital Spy |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043644/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a661547/itv-is-airing-a-special-tribute-to-cilla-black-on-tuesday-night/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first series of ''[[Paul O'Grady's Animal Orphans]]'' screened in 2014, with O'Grady travelling to see wildlife in Africa; a second series followed in 2015 and a third in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-packs/paul-o%E2%80%99grady%E2%80%99s-animal-orphans |title=Paul O'Grady's Animal Orphans |website=ITV.com |date=11 December 2013 |access-date=4 July 2014 |archive-date=30 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030173402/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-packs/paul-o%E2%80%99grady%E2%80%99s-animal-orphans |url-status=live }}</ref> The first series averaged 3.29&nbsp;million viewers while the second averaged 2.75&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4 |title=Top 30 Programmes |website=[[BARB]] |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306031324/http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-30?_s=4 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, he appeared in a ''[[Gogglebox]]'' special for [[Stand Up to Cancer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/523099/Kathy-Burke-Paul-O-Grady-Gogglebox-charity |title=Kathy Burke and Paul O'Grady join Gogglebox charity line-up |first=Kirsty |last=McCormack |date=15 October 2014 |newspaper=Daily Express |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917014754/https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/523099/Kathy-Burke-Paul-O-Grady-Gogglebox-charity |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-16/watch-kathy-burke-and-paul-ogrady-recreate-gogglebox |title=Watch Kathy Burke and Paul O'Grady recreate Gogglebox |first=Ben |last=Dowell |date=16 October 2014 |magazine=Radio Times |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131546/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-16/watch-kathy-burke-and-paul-ogrady-recreate-gogglebox/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2014, O'Grady appeared in ITV's documentary ''Rita & Me'' celebrating [[Barbara Knox]]'s fifty years as the character [[Rita Tanner]] in ''[[Coronation Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week1/rita-and-me |title=Rita and Me |website=ITV.com |date=30 November 2014 |access-date=9 December 2014 |archive-date=13 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213022833/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week1/rita-and-me |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2015, O'Grady's fourth book ''Open the Cage, Murphy!: Further Savage Adventures'' was released.<ref name="Nicholson">{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Rebecca |title=Paul O'Grady: 'I've lost just about everybody I know' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/oct/13/paul-ogrady-lost-about-everybody-i-know-cilla-black-jackie-collins |access-date=4 July 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=13 October 2015 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904200008/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/oct/13/paul-ogrady-lost-about-everybody-i-know-cilla-black-jackie-collins |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, O'Grady presented ''Bob Monkhouse: The Million Joke Man'', a three-part factual series for [[Gold (UK TV channel)|Gold]], exploring the life of comedian and presenter [[Bob Monkhouse]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/gold-commissions-million-jokes-bob-monkhouse-million-joke-man/ |title=Gold commissions a million jokes, 'Bob Monkhouse: The Million Joke Man' |website=UKTV.co.uk |date=9 December 2014 |access-date=19 April 2015 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404150253/http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/gold-commissions-million-jokes-bob-monkhouse-million-joke-man/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/bob_monkhouse_million_jokes/ |title=Bob Monkhouse... The Million Joke Man |website=Comedy.co.uk |access-date=19 April 2015 |archive-date=2 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502184642/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/bob_monkhouse_million_jokes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2015, O'Grady appeared in ''Our Cilla'', a one-off programme about the life of [[Cilla Black]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/paul-ogrady-remembers-cilla-black-10636094 |title=Paul O'Grady remembers Cilla Black: 'I had to keep an eye on her' |first=Tina |last=Miles |date=22 December 2015 |newspaper=[[Liverpool Echo]] |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044231/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/paul-ogrady-remembers-cilla-black-10636094 |url-status=live }}</ref> 2016 saw O'Grady present ''Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army & Me'', a documentary series on [[The Salvation Army]] for [[BBC One]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a669991/paul-ogrady-celebrates-the-sally-army-in-an-unholy-pairing-for-the-bbc.html |title=Paul O'Grady celebrates the Sally Army |first=Mayer |last=Nissim |date=23 September 2015 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=24 September 2015 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331143912/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a669991/paul-ogrady-celebrates-the-sally-army-in-an-unholy-pairing-for-the-bbc/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0764xjj |title=Episode 1, Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army and Me |website=[[BBC One]] |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917014816/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0764xjj |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/bbc-one-autumn-winter |title=Charlotte Moore unveils BBC One's distinctive autumn/winter schedule |website=BBC Media Centre |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=18 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818142008/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/bbc-one-autumn-winter |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/paul-ogrady-back-bbc-recruit-6496415 |title=Paul O'Grady back on BBC as recruit for Salvation Army |first=Nicola |last=Methven |date=22 September 2015 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718205648/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/paul-ogrady-back-bbc-recruit-6496415 |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, he also presented a Channel 4 documentary, ''Paul O'Grady's 100 Years of Movie Musicals'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/paul-ogradys-100-years-of-movie-musicals |title=Paul O'Grady's 100 Years of Movie Musicals |publisher=Channel 4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919205726/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/paul-ogradys-100-years-of-movie-musicals |archive-date=19 September 2016 |access-date=25 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d6vyqv/paul-ogradys-100-years-of-movie-musicals |title=Paul O'Grady's 100 Years of Movie Musicals |magazine=Radio Times |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201182536/http://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d6vyqv/paul-ogradys-100-years-of-movie-musicals/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and another for ITV, ''Paul O'Grady's Favourite Fairy Tales''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/entertainment/14976586.Paul_O__39_Grady__39_s_ready_for_fairy_tales/ |title=Paul O'Grady's ready for fairy tales |newspaper=[[The Northern Echo]] |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221132939/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/entertainment/14976586.Paul_O__39_Grady__39_s_ready_for_fairy_tales/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That same evening he appeared on ITV in ''Hilda Ogden's Last Ta-ra'', which was a tribute to the late ''Coronation Street'' actress [[Jean Alexander]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/i-never-lived-high-life-9059376 |title="I never lived the high life": Coronation Street legend Jean Alexander in her own words |first=Paul |last=Byrne |date=16 October 2016 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=9 August 2022 |archive-date=9 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809215316/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/i-never-lived-high-life-9059376 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2017, O'Grady married Portasio in a ceremony at London's [[Goring Hotel]],<ref name="Portasio">{{cite news |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/2017/08/20/paul-ogrady-secretly-marries-ballet-dancer-boyfriend-andre-portasio-6864753/ |title=Paul O'Grady secretly marries ballet dancer boyfriend Andre Portasio |date=20 August 2017 |newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=23 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123211210/http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/20/paul-ogrady-secretly-marries-ballet-dancer-boyfriend-andre-portasio-6864753/ |url-status=live }}</ref> although the pair continued to live separately.<ref name="CountryLife">{{cite news |title=Kent: TV presenter Paul O'Grady on country life in rural Kent in his new book, Paul O'Grady's Country Life |newspaper=Kent Online |date=25 November 2017 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/whats-on/news/for-the-love-of-dogs-tv-presenter-paul-ogrady-a-country-life-in-rural-kent-135828/ |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607134039/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/whats-on/news/for-the-love-of-dogs-tv-presenter-paul-ogrady-a-country-life-in-rural-kent-135828/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year also saw the screening of two-part ITV series ''Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Animals – India'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a824830/paul-ogrady-loses-it-at-animal-cruelty-new-documntary-in-india/ |title=Paul O'Grady 'loses it' after witnessing heartbreaking animal cruelty while filming new documentary in India |website=Digital Spy |date=30 March 2017 |last=McCreesh |first=Louise |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607134032/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a824830/paul-ogrady-loses-it-at-animal-cruelty-new-documntary-in-india/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the three-part Channel 4 series ''Paul O'Grady's Hollywood'',<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-2p79ox/paul-ogradys-hollywood/|title=Paul O'Grady's Hollywood|magazine=Radio Times|accessdate=29 March 2023|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329121323/https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-2p79ox/paul-ogradys-hollywood/|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as a Channel 5 documentary about his life, ''The Paul O'Grady Story''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_paul_ogrady_story/ |title=The Paul O'Grady Story |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814025959/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_paul_ogrady_story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also saw the publication of O'Grady's fifth book, ''Paul O'Grady's Country Life''.<ref name="CountryLife"/> In 2017, Channel 5 revived the game show ''[[Blind Date (British game show)|Blind Date]]'' with O'Grady as its presenter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/blind-date/news/a823623/paul-ogrady-blind-date-new-host-on-channel-5-start-date-apply/ |title=Blind Date's revival has finally confirmed its new host |first=Laurence |last=Mozafari |date=16 March 2017 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317061335/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/blind-date/news/a823623/paul-ogrady-blind-date-new-host-on-channel-5-start-date-apply/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/blind-date-making-tv-return-in-2017-but-who-will-replace-cilla-black-a3460726.html |title=Blind Date making TV return – but who will replace Cilla Black? |first=Ben |last=Travis |date=7 February 2017 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=9 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009055217/https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/blind-date-making-tv-return-in-2017-but-who-will-replace-cilla-black-a3460726.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/blind-date/news/a831064/blind-date-channel-5-reboot-verdict-paul-ogrady-host-reactions/ |title=Blind Date fans give their verdict on Channel 5 reboot |first=Tasha |last=Hegarty |date=17 June 2017 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020101119/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/blind-date/news/a831064/blind-date-channel-5-reboot-verdict-paul-ogrady-host-reactions/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first series was watched by an average of 1.5&nbsp;million viewers. A Christmas episode aired on 23 December 2017,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a845769/blind-date-christmas-special-pantomime-paul-ogrady/|title=Blind Date is getting a pantomime Christmas special|first=Louise|last=McCreesh|date=19 December 2017|website=Digital Spy|access-date=23 May 2019|archive-date=23 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523194221/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a845769/blind-date-christmas-special-pantomime-paul-ogrady/|url-status=live}}</ref> before the second series aired from 30 December 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cumberbatch |first=Aime Grant |date=30 December 2017 |title=The Best TV to watch on December 30 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/what-to-watch-on-tv-on-december-30-blind-date-the-price-is-right-and-a-christmas-carol-goes-wrong-a3724301.html |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=Evening Standard |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329131324/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/what-to-watch-on-tv-on-december-30-blind-date-the-price-is-right-and-a-christmas-carol-goes-wrong-a3724301.html |url-status=live }}</ref> A third series was filmed in February 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=1915|title=Pre-registration for BLIND DATE hosted by PAUL O'GRADY from SRO Audiences|website=Sroaudiences.com|access-date=23 May 2019|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806065133/https://sroaudiences.com/application.asp?show_id=1915|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, O'Grady presented the six-part ITV series ''Paul O'Grady's Great British Escape'', in which he visited sites across Kent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/whats-on/news/paul-ogradys-escape-to-his-home-county-237980/ |title=Paul O'Grady's Great British Escape features the Kent coast, its orchards, Canterbury Cathedral and James Bond author Ian Fleming's favourite pub |last=Cole |first=Angela |date=24 November 2021 |website=KentOnline |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607134032/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/whats-on/news/paul-ogradys-escape-to-his-home-county-237980/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week46/paul-ogradys-great-british-escape|title=Paul O'Grady's Great British Escape|publisher=itv.com|access-date=3 December 2020|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205154203/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week46/paul-ogradys-great-british-escape|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2021, he began hosting ''Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line-Up''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lamacraft|first=Tess|date=10 September 2021|title=Paul O'Grady on his 'raucous' new show 'Saturday Night Line-Up'|url=https://www.whattowatch.com/features/paul-ogrady-on-his-raucous-new-show-saturday-night-line-up|website=What to Watch|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910162816/https://www.whattowatch.com/features/paul-ogrady-on-his-raucous-new-show-saturday-night-line-up|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2023, O'Grady appeared alongside [[Paul Hollywood]], [[Charles III|King Charles]] and [[Queen Camilla]], [[Sister Sister (drag queen)|Sister Sister]] and [[Ricky Tomlinson]] in a pre-recorded segment for the opening of the first semi-final of the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2023]], which was hosted in Liverpool.<ref name="PinkNews1">{{cite news|url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/10/eurovision-2023-paul-o-grady-intro-fans-reaction/|title=Paul O'Grady's posthumous Eurovision 2023 cameo moves fans to tears: 'We love and miss you, Paul'|last=Iftkhar|first=Asyia|date=10 May 2023|work=[[PinkNews]]|accessdate=10 May 2023}}</ref> This was O'Grady's final television work before his death.<ref name="PinkNews2">{{cite news |last=Chudy |first=Emily |date=8 May 2023 |title=Paul O'Grady's 'last bit of filming' to air during Eurovision even though he 'was never a fan' |work=[[PinkNews]] |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/08/paul-ogradys-eurovision/ |accessdate=10 May 2023}}</ref>

A final series of ''For The Love of Dogs'' that O'Grady recorded in summer 2022 aired from April to September 2023 on ITV, and on 30 January 2024, it was announced that the show would continue with a new presenter, [[Alison Hammond]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodger |first1=James |title=Alison Hammond breaks silence over For the Love of Dogs boycott |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/alison-hammond-breaks-silence-over-29005683 |access-date=16 April 2024 |work=Birmingham Live |date=16 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> Plus, a new 2 part documentary series for ITV, ''Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure'', that O'Grady also filmed in 2022, aired on 31 March and 7 April 2024.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

==Radio==
{{main|Paul O'Grady on the Wireless}}
In 2008 and 2009, O'Grady occasionally sat in for [[Elaine Paige]] on her [[BBC Radio 2]] show ''[[Elaine Paige on Sunday]]''. From April 2009, O'Grady presented his own two-hour long programme on BBC Radio 2 called ''[[Paul O'Grady on the Wireless]]'' which was broadcast on Sundays from 5&nbsp;pm to 7&nbsp;pm.

O'Grady was a guest on [[Kate Thornton]]'s ''Paper Cuts'' in 2015. In September 2017, O'Grady presented a two-part documentary for BBC Radio 2 called ''The Story of the Light''. The show saw O'Grady celebrate the 50th anniversary of Radio 2 by looking back at the [[BBC Light Programme]] that the channel replaced.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hepworth |first=David |author-link=David Hepworth |title=The best radio this week: Paul O'Grady remembers the Light Programme |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/16/best-radio-this-week-paul-ogrady-remembers-light-programme |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 September 2017 |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920032926/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/16/best-radio-this-week-paul-ogrady-remembers-light-programme |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2022, it was announced that O'Grady was resigning from BBC Radio 2 due to his unhappiness with having to share his slot with [[Rob Beckett]]. His final show aired that same month.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paul O'Grady signs off final Radio 2 show |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62543036 |work=BBC News |date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815035539/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62543036 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 21 November 2022, it was announced that O'Grady would join [[Boom Radio]] to present a show on Christmas Day, similar to the festive show he presented for Radio 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/11/boom-radio-hires-paul-ogrady-for-christmas-day-show/|title=Boom Radio hires Paul O'Grady for Christmas Day show|first=RadioToday|last=UK|date=21 November 2022|accessdate=22 November 2022|archive-date=21 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121131700/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/11/boom-radio-hires-paul-ogrady-for-christmas-day-show/|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to his death, O'Grady had been due to present another special show on [[Easter Sunday]] before joining the station permanently in May 2023.

== Charity work ==
O'Grady supported philanthropic causes for carers.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=249}} From 2008 onwards, he was an ambassador for [[Save the Children]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul O'Grady: Ambassador |url=http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/who-we-work-with/artists-and-ambassadors/paul-ogrady |access-date=25 November 2017 |website=Save the Children UK |archive-date=29 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529020049/http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/about-us/who-we-work-with/artists-and-ambassadors/paul-ogrady |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2012, O'Grady became an ambassador for [[Battersea Dogs and Cats Home]] following his series ''[[For the Love of Dogs]]'', which was filmed in the home.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2016 |title=Our people |url=http://www.battersea.org.uk/apex/webcelebritysupporters?pageId=088-ourcelebritysupporters |access-date=25 November 2017 |website=Battersea Dogs and Cats Home |archive-date=8 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408091229/http://www.battersea.org.uk/apex/webcelebritysupporters?pageId=088-ourcelebritysupporters |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, he took part in the [[Pedigree Petfoods|Pedigree]] Feeding Brighter Futures campaign with [[Amanda Holden]], which aimed to give a million meals to [[rescue dogs]] nationwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Feeding Brighter Futures |url=http://uk.pedigree.com/brighterfutures/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004214150/http://uk.pedigree.com/brighterfutures/ |archive-date=4 October 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=Pedigree UK}}</ref>

In 2014, O'Grady co-starred in a [[Dementia]] Friends TV advertisement campaign to raise awareness about the disease.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCormack |first=Kirsty |date=7 May 2014 |title=Amanda Holden, Ray Winstone and Paul O'Grady lend their support to dementia campaign |newspaper=Daily Express |url=http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/474460/Amanda-Holden-Ray-Winstone-and-Paul-O-Grady-lend-their-support-to-dementia-campaign |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201082023/https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/474460/Amanda-Holden-Ray-Winstone-and-Paul-O-Grady-lend-their-support-to-dementia-campaign |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New dementia campaign launches as research reveals the true cost to business of dementia |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-dementia-campaign-launches-as-research-reveals-the-true-cost-to-business-of-dementia |access-date=25 November 2017 |website=[[Gov.uk]] |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100004/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-dementia-campaign-launches-as-research-reveals-the-true-cost-to-business-of-dementia |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2015, following his work on ''[[Animal Orphans]]'', O'Grady became a patron of Orangutan Appeal UK.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul O'Grady – Our New Patron! |url=http://www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk/about-us/news/article/paul-ogrady-our-new-patron |access-date=25 November 2017 |website=Orangutan Appeal |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201132210/https://www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk/about-us/news/article/paul-ogrady-our-new-patron |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2016, O'Grady 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.<ref name="RSPCA">{{cite news |title=Paul O'Grady receives outstanding contribution to animal welfare prize at the Animal Hero Awards |newspaper=[[York Press]] |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/14730426.Paul_O_Grady_receives_outstanding_contribution_to_animal_welfare_prize_at_the_Animal_Hero_Awards/ |access-date=25 November 2017 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080901/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/14730426.Paul_O_Grady_receives_outstanding_contribution_to_animal_welfare_prize_at_the_Animal_Hero_Awards/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
As an unofficial ambassador for the county of Kent (where he lived for 20 years) and which he readily promoted (including an ITV series) he accepted the unpaid position of Deputy Lieutenant of Kent in 2022.

==Personal life==
In 1974, with his friend Diane Jansen, O'Grady had a daughter.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=286}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/03/17/paul-o-grady-i-really-do-enjoy-being-a-doting-grandad-100252-20635323/ |title=Paul O'Grady: I really do enjoy being a doting grandad |first=Jade |last=Wright |date=17 March 2008 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |access-date=28 April 2008 |archive-date=23 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123031854/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/03/17/paul-o-grady-i-really-do-enjoy-being-a-doting-grandad-100252-20635323/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From 1977 to 2005, he was in a [[marriage of convenience]] with a Portuguese woman, Teresa Fernandes, although he was not in an active relationship with her.{{sfnm|1a1=Simpson|1y=2008|1pp=34–35|2a1=O'Grady|2y=2010|2pp=176–188}}

{{Quote box|width=246px|align=right|quote=We used to fight like cat and dog. We were two [[Dominance hierarchy|alpha males]] trying to be top dog. He was a tricky bastard and I can be tricky too. We'd have real punch-ups. But I'd tell him everything. Suddenly, I was totally on my own. That's when I said, "Lily's going." Because he's always been here with Lily. I thought "I can't do it any more." So she sort of died with him.|source=Paul O'Grady on the death of Brendan Murphy, 2012<ref name="Hardy"/> }}

His long-term lover and business partner was Brendan Frank Murphy (b. 4 March 1956; d. 9 June 2005). In the fourth volume of his biography, he noted that he has "always had a penchant for the bad boys".{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|p=304}} In 2017 he married André Portasio.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-andre-portasio-husband-tribute-b2311500.html |title=Paul O'Grady's husband shares heartwarming tribute from their 'last holiday' together |website=[[The Independent]] |date=31 March 2023 |access-date=31 March 2023 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331063721/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-andre-portasio-husband-tribute-b2311500.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Known to many friends as "Lily" or "Lil",{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|p=314}} O'Grady was known for having had many high-profile and celebrity friends, including politician [[Mo Mowlam]], actresses [[Amanda Mealing]] and [[Barbara Windsor]], comedian [[Brenda Gilhooly]] and singer and television presenter [[Cilla Black]].{{sfn|Simpson|2008|pp=xii–xiii}}

O'Grady divided his time between his [[Central London]] flat and his rural [[Kent]]ish farmhouse,{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=362–363}} where he grew organic fruit and vegetables{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=211}} and a variety of herbs, having a keen interest in [[herbal medicine]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2012|pp=340–341}} A lifelong animal lover,{{sfn|Scoular|2014|p=25}} as a child O'Grady kept rabbits, [[hamster]]s, [[guinea pig]]s, [[House mouse|mice]], a [[ferret]] and a [[Fancy rat|rat]] as pets; he commented that his mother thought him "a bit weird" as a result.{{sfn|Scoular|2014|p=25}} At his farm, he owned sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys, ducks, chickens, [[geese]], ferrets, [[Megabat|bats]], mice and dogs.{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=212}}

Two of O'Grady's pet dogs became well known to the British public through appearances on ''The Paul O'Grady Show''. The first was a rescue dog, Buster Elvis Savage, a [[Shih Tzu]]/[[Bichon Frisé]] cross. Buster was euthanised in November 2009 as a result of his cancer.<ref name="buster death">{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/11/20/paul-o-grady-s-dog-buster-dies-of-cancer-115875-21836567/ |title=Paul O'Grady's dog Buster dies of cancer |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=20 November 2009 |archive-date=23 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123060803/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/11/20/paul-o-grady-s-dog-buster-dies-of-cancer-115875-21836567/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=buster>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/P/paulogrady/buster.html |title=The Paul O'Grady Show&nbsp;– Buster and Olga |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=27 April 2008 |archive-date=15 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415034307/http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/P/paulogrady/buster.html |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Grady dedicated the second volume of his autobiography to Buster, describing him as "The greatest canine star since [[Lassie]]".{{sfn|O'Grady|2010|p=opening leaf}} A second dog, the [[Cairn Terrier]] Olga, also attracted attention. In 2013, it was revealed that she was undergoing [[chemotherapy]] due to cancer.<ref name="The Huffington Post"/> Olga was euthanised in April 2018 after suffering from kidney failure.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Southern |first1=Keiran |title=Paul O'Grady heartbroken after death of pet dog and TV star Olga |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/paul-ogrady-heartbroken-after-death-of-pet-dog-and-tv-star-olga-36831154.html |access-date=21 November 2020 |work=Irish Independent |date=22 April 2018 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331143923/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/paul-ogrady-heartbroken-after-death-of-pet-dog-and-tv-star-olga-36831154.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In an interview with the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' in 2006, O'Grady admitted that smoking forty cigarettes a day for several decades had contributed to his two heart attacks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/paul-ogrady-exclusive-i-am-like-637006 |first=Peter |last=Willis |title=Paul O'Grady Exclusive: I Am Like A Broken Toy |date=7 August 2006 |newspaper=Daily Mirror |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422130623/http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/paul-ogrady-exclusive-i-am-like-637006 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, O'Grady expressed his support for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], championing [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Labour leader]] [[Ed Miliband]] as a better candidate for UK Prime Minister than [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] incumbent [[David Cameron]].{{sfn|Levantis|2013}} He lambasted the [[Cameron–Clegg coalition]] government then in power, describing them as "absolutely disgusting. They have no idea what the common working man and woman are doing. They are not in touch with the working-classes. They have led privileged lives – they've had public schools and have never been on the shop floor."{{sfn|Levantis|2013}} He also praised Miliband's successor, [[Jeremy Corbyn]].<ref name="Nicholson"/>

In 2015, he told a reporter that despite his wealth, he still felt "very much" working-class; "I know that probably sounds strange. Mentally, I still am. I'm still thinking, have I got the rent for Friday?"<ref name="Nicholson"/> Raised as a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]], in his autobiography he related having "grown out of Catholicism" after his mother's death, but had "always been interested in alternative religions",{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|p=13}} citing a particular interest in [[Wicca]].{{sfn|O'Grady|2015|pp=15–16, 20}} He also reported seeing [[Unidentified flying object|unexplained lights]] over his Kent home, considering the possibility that he was being observed by extraterrestrials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alexander |first1=Stian |first2=Andy |last2=Robinson |date=27 March 2018 |title=Paul O'Grady believes he's being watched by aliens in UFOs at his Ashford home |website=KentLive |url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/paul-ogrady-believes-hes-being-1387498 |accessdate=7 June 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607140123/https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/paul-ogrady-believes-hes-being-1387498 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Death==
O'Grady died at his home in Kent on 28 March 2023, aged 67, from [[sudden arrhythmic death syndrome|sudden cardiac arrhythmia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/29/paul-ogrady-presenter-and-comedian-dies-aged-67 |title=Paul O'Grady, TV presenter and comedian, dies aged 67 |work=The Guardian |date=29 March 2023 |accessdate=29 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329022400/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/29/paul-ogrady-presenter-and-comedian-dies-aged-67 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=28 March 2023 |title=TV star Paul O'Grady dies aged 67 |website=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65108130 |accessdate=28 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329015723/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65108130 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Bedigan |first=Mike |date=28 March 2023 |title=TV star and comedian Paul O'Grady dies at the age of 67 |publisher=[[Yahoo! News]] |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tv-star-comedian-paul-o-015123250.html |accessdate=28 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329021429/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tv-star-comedian-paul-o-015123250.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He had previously had three heart attacks, in 2002, 2006 and 2014.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harrison |first=Ellie |title=Paul O'Grady's poignant remark on death after several health scares |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-death-funeral-health-problems-b2323276.html|newspaper= The Independent|date=20 April 2023 |accessdate=31 March 2024}}</ref> His death was announced by his husband, André Portasio,<ref name="BBC 65108130">{{cite news |title=Paul O'Grady: TV presenter and comedian dies aged 67 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65108130 |access-date=29 March 2023 |work=BBC News |date=29 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329015722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65108130 |url-status=live }}</ref> and tributes poured in from global figures and celebrities, including from [[Queen Camilla]], television presenter [[Lorraine Kelly]] and LGBT rights campaigner [[Peter Tatchell]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Cain |first=Sian |date=28 March 2023 |title=Paul O'Grady, TV presenter and comedian, dies aged 67 |website=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/29/paul-ogrady-presenter-and-comedian-dies-aged-67 |accessdate=28 March 2023 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329022400/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/29/paul-ogrady-presenter-and-comedian-dies-aged-67 |url-status=live }}</ref> O'Grady has been hailed by many as a [[national treasure]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65108950 |title=Paul O'Grady Obituary |last=Youngs |first=Ian |date=30 March 2023 |website=[[BBC News]] |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 April 2023 |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402022312/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65108950 |url-status=live }}</ref>

O'Grady's final performance was as Miss Hannigan in ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' at the [[Edinburgh Playhouse]] just days before his death. His funeral was held at the [[Church of St Rumwold, Bonnington]], Kent, on 20 April 2023;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Domachowski |first1=Lucy |last2=McCrum |first2=Kirstie |date=17 April 2023 |title=The funeral date for Paul O'Grady has been confirmed |url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/paul-ogradys-funeral-date-details-8360872 |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=HullLive }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/fans-set-to-line-streets-for-paul-ogradys-funeral-processi-285689/|title=Fans line streets for Paul O'Grady's funeral procession in Aldington, near Ashford|website=Kent Online|last=Weller|first=Chantal|date=20 April 2023|access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65334955|title=Paul O'Grady: Fans and dogs line streets for star's funeral|publisher=BBC|date=20 April 2023|access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-funeral-live-today-b2323250.html|title=Paul O'Grady funeral – live: Lily Savage icon to be laid to rest with special tribute from Battersea Dogs Home|website=Independent|last=Stolworthy|first=Jacob|date=20 April 2023|access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref> after the service he was buried there, next to his late partner Brendan Murphy.

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" style="border="2"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Year(s)
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1988–1990
| ''[[The Bill]]''
| Roxanne
| rowspan="2" | As Paul Savage
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Chimera (British TV series)|Chimera]]''
| Donaldson
|-
| 1992
| ''[[The New Statesman (1987 TV series)|The New Statesman]]''
| Marlene Dietrich
|
|-
| 1993
| ''[[In the Name of the Father]]''
| Prisoner
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1994
| ''[[Top of the Pops]]''
| Guest presenter
| rowspan="6" | As Lily Savage
|-
| ''[[Eurotrash (TV series)|Eurotrash]]''
| Segment presenter
|-
| 1995–1996
| ''[[The Big Breakfast]]''
| rowspan="9" | Presenter
|-
| 1996
| ''An Evening with Lily Savage''
|-
| 1997
| ''The Lily Savage Show''
|-
| 1997–2002
| ''[[Blankety Blank]]''
|-
| 1999
| ''Love Bites with Lily Savage''
|
|-
| 2000
| ''Paul O'Grady's Orient''
|
|-
| 2000–2001
| ''[[Lily Live!]]''
| As Lily Savage
|-
| 2001
| ''Paul O'Grady's America''
|
|-
| 2002–2003
| ''[[Outtake TV]]''
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Today with Des and Mel]]''
| Guest presenter
|
|-
| 2003–2004
| ''[[Eyes Down]]''
| Ray Temple
| Main role
|-
| 2004–2005
| ''[[The British Soap Awards]]''
| rowspan="2" | Presenter
|
|-
| 2004–2009,<br />2013–2015
| ''[[The Paul O'Grady Show]]''
|
|-
| 2005
| ''Comic Aid''
| Presenter (as Lily Savage)
|
|-
|2005, 2009
|''[[Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway]]''
|Guest announcer
|2 episodes
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Doctor Who]]''
| Himself, cameo
| Episode: "[[The Stolen Earth]]"
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Coronation Street#50th Anniversary (2010)|Coronation Street: The Big 50]]''
| rowspan="4" | Presenter
|
|-
| 2010–2011
| ''[[Paul O'Grady Live]]''
|
|-
| 2012–2023
| ''[[Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |2013
| ''[[The British Animal Honours]]''
|
|-
| ''Me and My Guide Dog''
| Narrator
|
|-
| ''Paul O'Grady's Working Britain''
| rowspan="2" | Presenter
|
|-
| ''[[Perspectives (TV series)|Perspectives: Gypsy Rose Lee – The Queen of Burlesque]]''
|
|-
| ''[[Holby City]]''
| Tim Connor
| 3 episodes
|-
| ''[[The One and Only Cilla Black]]''
| Presenter
|
|-
|2014
|''[[Gogglebox]]''
|Himself, guest
|1 episode
|-
| 2014–2016
| ''[[Paul O'Grady's Animal Orphans]]''
| rowspan="12" |Presenter
|
|-
| 2015
| ''Bob Monkhouse: The Million Joke Man''
|
|-
| rowspan=3|2016
| ''Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army & Me''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/bbc1-commisions-paul-o%E2%80%99grady-sally-army-me |title=BBC1 commissions Paul O'Grady: The Sally Army & Me |website=Salvation Army |date=23 September 2015 |access-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925072444/http://news.salvationarmy.org.uk/bbc1-commisions-paul-o%E2%80%99grady-sally-army-me |archive-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|
|-
| ''Paul O'Grady's 100 Years of Movie Musicals''
|
|-
| ''Paul O'Grady's Favourite Fairy Tales''
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| ''Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Animals – India''
|
|-
| ''Paul O'Grady's Hollywood''
|
|-
| 2017–2019
| ''[[Blind Date (British game show)|Blind Date]]''
| 33 episodes
|-
| rowspan=2|2018
| ''[[For the Love of Dogs|Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs: India]]''
|
|-
| ''The NHS Heroes Awards''
|
|-
| 2018–2019
| ''Paul O'Grady's Little Heroes''
|
|-
| 2020
| ''Paul O'Grady's Great British Escape''<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul O'Grady's Great British Escape, ITV.|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/nov/11/tv-tonight-ross-kemp-diamond-thieves-millennium-dome-watch-tonight|access-date=16 November 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|date=11 November 2020|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118230206/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/nov/11/tv-tonight-ross-kemp-diamond-thieves-millennium-dome-watch-tonight|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2021
| ''[[The Madame Blanc Mysteries]]''
| David
|
|-
| ''Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line Up''<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line Up|url=https://www.itv.com/hub/paul-ogradys-saturday-night-line-up/10a0665a0001|access-date=19 September 2021|website=itv.com|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918153913/https://www.itv.com/hub/paul-ogradys-saturday-night-line-up/10a0665a0001|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Presenter
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2023
| ''For the Love of Paul O'Grady''
| Himself
|ITV tribute show, archival footage
|-
| [[Eurovision Song Contest 2023]]<ref name="PinkNews2" />
| Himself
|Cameo and posthumous appearance in opening of first semi-final
|-
| 2024
| ''Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure''
| Himself
| Two-part documentary; O'Grady's final television appearance<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/paul-ogrady-final-tv-appearance-newsupdate/|title=Paul O'Grady's final TV appearance confirmed as all-new documentary|website=Radio Times|accessdate=2 September 2023}}</ref>
|}

== Recognitions ==
=== Awards and nominations ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
! colspan="2" |Award
!Work
!Result
!Notes
|-
|1996
|rowspan="2"|[[National Television Awards]]
|rowspan="2"|Most Popular Entertainment Performance
|rowspan="2"|''An Evening with Lily Savage''
|{{nom}}
|-
|1997
|{{nom}}
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767331/awards|title=Paul O'Grady|publisher=IMDb|access-date=1 September 2018|archive-date=31 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331143928/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0767331/awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|1998
|rowspan="2"|[[National Television Awards]]
|rowspan="2"|Most Popular Entertainment Performance
|rowspan="2"|''[[Blankety Blank]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|1999
|{{won}}
|-
|2000
|[[British Comedy Awards]]
|Best Comedy Entertainment Personality
|''[[Lily Live!]]''
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|2002
|[[National Television Awards]]
|Most Popular Entertainment Presenter
| rowspan="5" |''[[The Paul O'Grady Show]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" |2005
|[[British Academy Television Awards]]
|[[British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance|Best Entertainment Performance]]
|{{won}}
|
|-
|[[British Comedy Awards]]
|Best Comedy Entertainment Personality
|{{won}}
|
|-
| rowspan="9" |[[National Television Awards]]
|Most Popular Entertainment Presenter|Most Popular Entertainment Presenter
|{{nom}}
|-
|Most Popular Daytime Programme|Most Popular Daytime Programme
|{{won}}
|-
|2006
| rowspan="3" |Most Popular Entertainment Presenter
|{{N/A}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|2007
|{{N/A}}
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|2008
|{{N/A}}
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" rowspan"2" |Most Popular Entertainment Programme
| rowspan="3" rowspan"2" |''[[The Paul O'Grady Show]]''
|{{won}}
|-
|2010
|{{nom}}
|-
|2015
|Most Popular Chat Show Host
|{{nom}}
|-
|2018
|Special Recognition Award
|''[[Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs]]''
|{{won}}
|
|}

=== Honorary Doctorates ===
In 2005, [[Liverpool John Moores University]] awarded O'Grady an honorary fellowship for services to entertainment,{{sfn|Simpson|2008|p=250}} and in 2010, he received an honorary Doctor of Arts from [[De Montfort University]] in [[Leicester]] in recognition of his outstanding contribution to television, radio and the stage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dmu.ac.uk/news_events/news/homepage/10-07-14-degree-for-paul-ogrady.jsp |title=Honorary degree for TV star Paul O'Grady |website=De Montfort University |date=14 July 2010 |access-date=19 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728124605/http://www.dmu.ac.uk/news_events/news/homepage/10-07-14-degree-for-paul-ogrady.jsp |archive-date=28 July 2013}}</ref>

=== Other ===
In September 2016, O'Grady 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.<ref name="RSPCA" />

In October 2023, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home announced that they would be naming a new veterinary hospital after O'Grady, and a "tribute fund" set up in his honour would go towards "life-saving and transformative [[Veterinary medicine|medical]] [[Veterinary surgery|procedures]]" for dogs and cats which need specialist care and treatment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/oct/16/battersea-dogs-cats-home-names-vet-hospital-after-paul-ogrady|title=Battersea Dogs & Cats Home names vet hospital after Paul O'Grady|last=Rawlinson|first=Kevin|date=16 October 2023|work=[[The Guardian]]|accessdate=16 October 2023}}</ref>

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jun/15/paul-ogrady-show-olga-interview |last=Brown |first=Maggie |title='Taking a pay cut won't demotivate me' |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=15 June 2009 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005103428/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jun/15/paul-ogrady-show-olga-interview |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |title=Paul O'Grady's Battersea Dogs Home TV show up for Bafta Award |url=http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/10360744.Paul_O_Grady_s_Battersea_Dogs_Home_TV_show_up_for_Bafta_Award/ |last=Henderson |first=Jamie |newspaper=Wandsworth Guardian |date=17 April 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094947/http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/10360744.Paul_O_Grady_s_Battersea_Dogs_Home_TV_show_up_for_Bafta_Award/ |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/oct/28/paul-ogrady-live-tv-tory-rant |last=Lawson |first=Mark |title=Paul O'Grady's socialist fury rant was a rare live-TV shock |newspaper=The Guardian |date=28 October 2010 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004221814/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/oct/28/paul-ogrady-live-tv-tory-rant |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |url=http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/paul-ogrady-calls-david-cameron-sherrif-nottingham-over-bedroom-tax290413 |last=Levantis |first=Demitri |title=Paul O'Grady calls David Cameron 'Sheriff of Nottingham' over bedroom tax |newspaper=Gay Star News |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=3 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503084740/http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/paul-ogrady-calls-david-cameron-sherrif-nottingham-over-bedroom-tax290413 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2010/oct/26/paul-ogrady-government-monkey |author=Media Monkey |title=Paul O'Grady takes on the government |newspaper=The Guardian |date=26 October 2010 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005063929/http://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2010/oct/26/paul-ogrady-government-monkey |url-status=live }}
* {{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2013/apr/04/paul-ogrady-british-animal-honours-2013 |author=Media Monkey |title=Paul O'Grady returns with a familiar breed of show |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005064547/http://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2013/apr/04/paul-ogrady-british-animal-honours-2013 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |title=At My Mother's Knee&nbsp;... and Other Low Joints |last=O'Grady |first=Paul |year=2008 |publisher=Bantam Press |location=London |isbn=978-0-593-05925-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780593059883 }}
* {{cite book |title=The Devil Rides Out: The Second Coming |last=O'Grady |first=Paul |year=2010 |publisher= Bantam|location= London |isbn=978-0-593-06424-5}}
* {{cite book |title=Still Standing: The Savage Years |last=O'Grady |first=Paul |year=2012 |publisher=Bantam |location=London |isbn=978-0-593-06939-4}}
* {{cite book |title=Open the Cage, Murphy! Further Savage Adventures... |last=O'Grady |first=Paul |year=2015 |publisher=Bantam |location=London |isbn=978-0593072592}}
* {{cite news |title=I've always been an animal lover |last=Scoular |first=Allen |year=2014 |magazine=My VIP |issue=8 |pages=24–26}}
* {{cite book |title=Paul O'Grady: The Biography |last=Simpson |first=Neil |year=2008 |publisher=John Blake Publishing |location=London |isbn=978-1-84454-417-2}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/08/paul-o-grady_n_3234743.html |title=Paul O'Grady on Showbiz Sex Arrests: 'Whatever Happened To Innocent Until Found Guilty?' |website=The Huffington Post UK |date=8 May 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-date=6 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606181905/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/08/paul-o-grady_n_3234743.html |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{IMDb name|0767331}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:O'Grady, Paul}}
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