Skip to content

Paul O'Grady: A life in pictures

Adam DurbinBBC News

Presenter, comedian and drag queen Paul O'Grady, who has died aged 67, had a vibrant and varied career in the entertainment industry spanning more than three decades.

After making his mark on London's comedy scene as Lily Savage, O'Grady would go on to become one of the most recognisable faces on TV.

News imageGetty Images Comedians Mark Thomas and Paul O'Grady (in character as Lily Savage), Soho, London, 1993Getty Images
O'Grady began his career using his drag act Lily Savage, pictured here in 1993 alongside fellow comedian Mark Thomas in Soho, London
News imageBBC Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage on Blankety BlankBBC
O'Grady became a household name after starring on TV in programmes like the game show Blankety Blank
News imagePA Media Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage performs as the Wicked Queen in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London in 2004PA Media
Savage appeared as the Wicked Queen in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in 2004
News imageGetty Images Paul O'Grady, covered in fake cobwebs and with performers around himGetty Images
He hosted the Paul O'Grady Show on ITV and Channel 4 between 2004 and 2015
News imagePA Media Paul O'Grady (standing alongside Davina McCall) holding his Bafta statuePA Media
O'Grady won a Bafta for best entertainment performance for the show in 2005
News imagePA Media Paul O'Grady with his award for most popular entertainment programme with Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary, at the 2008 National Television Awards at the Royal Albert HallPA Media
O'Grady (pictured with Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary) also won a National Television Award in 2008
News imagePA Media Paul O'Grady with his MBE medal, alongside his partner Andre Portasio, sister Sheila Rudd and daughter Sharyn MousleyPA Media
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
News imagePA Media Paul O'Grady being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III)PA Media
O'Grady was made an MBE by the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles
News imagePA Media Robbie Williams, Darcey Bussell and Paul O"Grady at the filming of the Graham Norton Show at The London Studios in south LondonPA Media
He appeared alongside Robbie Williams and Darcey Bussell on the Graham Norton Show in 2012
News imageGetty Images O'Grady wearing a high-visibility jacket and playing with a dogGetty Images
O'Grady was a well-known animal welfare campaigner, who worked to raise money for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home over many years
News imageGetty Images Queen Elizabeth II smiles at a Corgi while O'Grady watches onGetty Images
With the late Queen for the opening of new dog kennels at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2015
News imageGetty Images O'Grady with his partner Andre Portasio at the 2018 National Television Awards heldGetty Images
O'Grady with his husband Andre at the 2019 National Television Awards
News imageGetty Images Pictured with Camilla, Queen Consort in 2022 (when she was Duchess of Cornwall)Getty Images
Pictured with Camilla, Queen Consort, then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2022 - a fellow supporter of Battersea's efforts
News imageEmilie Sandy Paul O'Grady with his long-term radio producer Malcolm PrinceEmilie Sandy
O'Grady was set to host a one-off Easter Sunday show on Boom Radio, alongside his long-term producer Malcolm Prince
News imagePA Media Paul O'Grady at Buckingham Palace, where he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III)PA Media
O'Grady will be remembered as one of the UK's favourite entertainers

All pictures subject to copyright.