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Born in Birkenhead, Paul moved to London to work as a social worker and began his comedy career on the pub and club circuit developing the ‘blonde bombsite’ character of Lily Savage - a single mother of two – notorious for her shop lifting and acid tongue.

Lily's television career is well-known including hosting 'The Lily Savage Show' (Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú); 'Lily Live' (ITV); and 'Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank'. Her theatre career has seen her touring nationally with her own live show; a twelve week run in the West End and national tour in 'Prisoner Cell Block H – The Musical'; playing Miss Hannigan in 'Annie' at the Victoria Palace Theatre and on national tour. Lily has also enjoyed appearing as the Wicked Queen in 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' which she has performed five times, most recently at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London 2004/2005.

Lily is now resting whilst Paul has been increasingly appearing on television in his own right. He has two travel shows under his belt – the first recorded in the Far East in the spring of 2000 'Paul O’Grady’s Orient' and the second recorded in the US in the spring of 2001 'Paul O’Grady’s America'. He presented 'Screen Tests of the Stars' which was shown on ITV in April 2002.

Towards the end of 2002 he appeared in the role of the Child Catcher in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' at the London Palladium for three months.

2003 saw the launch of a new sitcom for the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú called 'Eyes Down'. It ran for two series and in it Paul played Ray, the manager of a Bingo Hall.

Paul was also very busy (reluctantly) learning to drive for 'Comic Relief' and was one of the 'learners' who were featured in the series leading up to Comic Relief Day – his ‘scrapes’ gripped the nation and despite not passing in time for Comic Relief he went on to pass shortly afterwards and is now a very 'enthusiastic' driver.

Paul hosted the 'TV Quick Awards' 2003 and co-hosted the 'Des and Mel' show in Des O’Connor's absence. He was also on Radio 2 on Christmas Day 2003 hosting a two hour Christmas Special. Paul has hosted the 'The British Soap Awards' in 2004 /2005.

'The Paul O’Grady Show' ran for three series at 5pm on ITV 2004/2005. Paul then moved to Channel 4 and launched 'The New Paul O’Grady Show' in March 2006 which ran for eleven series and has resumed the title 'The Paul O’Grady Show'. Mixed with Paul’s irrepressible humour and the occasional comment from Buster and Olga, Paul’s dogs, he brought new life to the early evening schedule.

Paul won a Bafta for Best Entertainment Performance (2005), National Television Awards for Most Popular Daytime Programme 2005, a Royal Television Society Award for Best Daytime Show (2005), Comedy Awards 2005 - Best Comedy Entertainment Personality,,a TV Quick Award for Best Daytime Show, TRIC Award for Best TV Personality 2006, Royal Television Society Award 2006 for Best Entertainment Performance, and TV Quick and TV Choice Award 2006 for 'Ten Years At The Top'. Paul was voted TV Times Favourite Personality of the Year from 2006 up to 2010 and The Paul O’Grady Show won the Broadcast Award 2008 for Best Daytime Programme. The Paul O’Grady Show also won the National Television Award for Most Popular Entertainment Show 2008.

Paul was made an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University in July 2005 and in October 2008 he was presented with an MBE by Prince Charles. In July 2010 he was given a Doctorate by De Montfort University in Leicester.

Paul published the first part of his autobiography in Autumn 2008 'At My Mother's Knee and Other Low Joints'. It sold over 700,000 copies and he was number one in The Times best sellers list for several weeks. The autobiography was shortlisted for the Biography of the Year Award at the Galaxy British Book Awards. The second volume was published in September 2010 'The Devil Rides Out' and went into the top ten of The Times best sellers list and the third part – 'Still Standing – the Lily years' is due to be published on the 11 October 2012.

Paul has been a regular presenter on Radio 2 with his own show 'Paul O’Grady' on Sundays 5-7p.m. since 5th April 2009.

'Paul O’Grady Live' ran for two series on ITV at 9pm. on Fridays but Paul has now moved on from chat show host to presenting a behind scenes series at Battersea Dogs Home 'Paul O’Grady: For the love of Dogs' - a seven part series currently showing on ITV at 8pm. on Monday evenings which is getting 4.9m viewers.

Paul has also written a screen play for Sky Arts 'Nellie and Melba' starring himself and Sheila Hancock which was shown in April 2012.

Lily Savage was allowed out of the convent in France to play Widow Twankey in the 'Aladdin' panto at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton in 2010 and the O2 Arena.