Paul performed as Lily Savage

Born on June 14, 1955 in Birkenhead, before he hit the big time, Paul performed as Lily Savage in the 80s.

He started off working the drag circuit with his act across pubs and clubs, and as he grew popular he eventually toured the country.

From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed annually as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for his act.

Paul followed this with a show titled Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which proved to be a sell-out.

He went on to host Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast for a year in the mid-Nineties, as alter ego Lily.

He then fronted BBC game show Blankety Blank from 1998 to 2002, as Lily, and in 2004 landed his own teatime chat slot, The Paul O’Grady Show, on Channel 4.