Before his death aged 67, presenter, comedian and drag queen Paul O’Grady had a vibrant and varied career in the entertainment industry spanning more than three decades.
After making his mark on London’s comedy scene using his Lily Savage persona, O’Grady would go on become one of the most recognisable faces on TV.
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O’Grady began his career using his drag act Lily Savage, pictured here in 1993 alongside fellow comedian Mark Thomas in Soho, London
O’Grady became a household name after starring on TV in programmes like the game show Blankety Blank
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Savage appeared as the Wicked Queen in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre in 2004
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He hosted the Paul O’Grady Show on ITV and Channel 4 between 2004 and 2015
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O’Grady won a Bafta for best entertainment performance for the show in 2005
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O’Grady (pictured with Holly Willoughby and Dermot O’Leary) also won a National Television Award in 2008
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The plaudits would keep on coming for O’Grady, who was made an MBE in 2008. He celebrated the honour alongside his partner Andre Portasio (left), sister Sheila Rudd and daughter Sharyn Mousley
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O’Grady was made an MBE by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles
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He appeared alongside Robbie Williams and Darcey Bussell on the Graham Norton Show in 2012
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O’Grady was a well-known animal welfare campaigner, who worked to raise money for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home over many years
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With the late Queen for the opening of new dog kennels at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2015
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O’Grady with his husband Andre at the 2019 National Television Awards
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Pictured with Camilla, Queen Consort, then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2022 – a fellow supporter of Battersea’s efforts
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O’Grady was set to host a one-off Easter Sunday show on Boom Radio, alongside his long-term producer Malcolm Prince
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O’Grady will be remembered as one of the UK’s favourite entertainers
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