1955-2023 Ta-ra,PAUL

TV Times pays tribute to PAUL O'GRADY, a true national treasure and one of the nicest people in showbiz

- CAREN CLARK, STEVEN PERKINS

Paul O’Grady was truly one in a million. Wonderfully warmhearted, wise and witty, the talented and trailblazing entertainer lit up the lives of so many of us over the years, with his genuine down-to-earth manner making him a good friend to everyone who watched his TV programmes or listened to his radio shows.

A firm favourite in the TV Times office, Paul would always find time for a lovely interview about his adventures and was always game for a laugh when we suggested a fun photo-shoot idea.

We were deeply saddened when we heard the news that Paul had passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’, aged 67, on Tuesday 28 March.

Born in Birkenhead on 14 June 1955, Paul was a social worker in London in the 1970s. His showbiz career began in the capital’s pubs and clubs with his sharptongued drag alter ego Lily Savage, using the character to speak out for gay rights.

Eventually TV came calling. As Lily, he cohosted C4’s The Big Breakfast from 1995 to 1996, as well as reviving