Gosh! "National treasure", star of telly, radio and the stage (in his "alter-ego" of Lily Savage, primarily), Mr Paul O'Grady is 65 years old today.
We were only listening to his (currently in "best of" repeats format, since he is "shielding" in isolation during the coronavirus) Radio 2 show this evening. Coincidentally enough, the subject of this episode was Cilla Black, for the clip I have selected by way of a tribute today is an old, old favourite - in which "Our Lil" appears alongside said Cilla and fellow "treasure", Barbara Windsor...
Happy birthday, chook!
Paul O'Grady MBE (born Paul James Grady, 14th June 1955)
More Mr O'Grady/Miss Savage here, here and particularly here
I always loved Lily Savage.
ReplyDeleteShe was fabulous - the most "in-yer-face" drag diva ever! Paul's put her "out to roost" nowadays, needless to say - but she had a good innings; from the stage at the Vauxhall Tavern to prime-time telly (as host of Blankety Blank) in the space of a decade is a remarkable ascent. Jx
DeleteI'm fond of Paul AND his alter-ego.
ReplyDeleteI met him briefly once (as Paul) and he is exactly as you would expect - no pretensions... Jx
DeleteI'm glad to hear that. Thanks for letting me know.
DeleteHe was absolutely pissed, someone flicked a fag-end into the hood of his parka while we were talking to him and he chased them down the street, screeching every Scouse swear-word in the book! Exactly as we would have hoped... Jx
DeleteI love Lily Savage. This is also one of my favorite old Broadway numbers and these three are brilliant.
ReplyDeleteA once-in-a-lifetime performance, unfortunately. Lily's "retired", Cilla died back in 2015, and poor Babs has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
DeleteStill, we have the video to remind us just how brill they were... Jx
Brava!Brava!Brava! Ladies. Are we all getting "old" or do these kids today lack something?
ReplyDeleteWell, that's set me up for the day.
PS I used to make nipple tassles for a dancing friend.
You made nipple tassels "for a friend"? We believe you, Dinah, we really do :-)
DeleteAnd yes - the age of "variety" talent is dead. Well and truly, sadly. Jx
I recently saw that clip on Room 101! Wonderful! Paul is wonderful - I love his Battersea Dogs home programme.
ReplyDeleteSx
He's a big old softy where animals are concerned, isn't he? Do you remember his short-lived travelogue show, when he got really upset and angry about caged animals in Southeast Asia? Bless 'im.
DeleteApparently, he's got a bit of a "menagerie" at his home, including loads of dogs, sheep, chickens and even owls... Jx