MBE DL Paul James O'Grady was a British comedian, television presenter, actor, writer, and radio host, known for his drag queen persona, Lily Savage. He was born on June 14, 1955, in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England. O'Grady was raised in a working-class Irish Catholic family and left school at 16 to work as a clerical assistant in a shoe factory. He later moved to London to pursue an entertainment career, working as a social worker during the day and performing at night in clubs and pubs as Lily Savage. In the 1980s, O'Grady gained popularity as Lily Savage, a brash and bawdy drag queen character who often performed in working men's clubs. He also appeared on television as a guest on The Bill and was a regular on the game show Blankety Blank. In the 1990s, O'Grady's career took off, and he became a household name in the UK with his own TV show, The Lily Savage Show. He also had a successful career in pantomime, playing the Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1991 and 1992. In 1996, O'Grady retired from the Lily Savage character and began presenting a daytime chat show, The Paul O'Grady Show, as himself. The show was a huge success and ran for 11 years, winning numerous awards. O'Grady also hosted his own radio show, Paul O'Grady on the Wireless, on BBC Radio 2. In addition to his television and radio work, O'Grady had acted in several films and TV shows, including Holby City and Doctor Who. He had also written several books, including his autobiography, At My Mother's Knee... and Other Low Joints. O'Grady was known for his charity work and had supported numerous causes, including animal welfare and LGBT rights. He had been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to entertainment and charity. Despite his success, O'Grady faced his share of personal struggles. He had spoken publicly about his battle with depression and alcoholism. In 2013, he suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery to have a stent fitted. Overall, O'Grady's career spanned over three decades, making him one of the most beloved and recognizable figures in British entertainment.