Here are everything you need to know about the release of Paul O’Grady’s documentary next week alongside his final TV project to commemorate his first death anniversary.
Great Elephant Adventure
ITV would be releasing two documentaries as fans of O’Grady or even of Lily Savage are set to see the late comedian on screens for one last time as ITV plans to release his final TV project, a two-part documentary series that was actually filmed just mere weeks before his death.
The Great Elephant Adventure was filmed earlier in Thailand and Laos, and was meant to celebrate the work done by elephant conservation centres to rescue, protect, and rehabilitate these animals.
He wasn’t just out there in these centres narrating, he pulled his sleeves up, mucked up and actually helped out in whatever these centres need. The overall tone of the documentary is warm, lighthearted, wholesome, and of course, funny because it’s O’Grady!
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The Life and Death of Lily Savage
ITV is also set to premier another 90 minute film about Paul, but this time focusing on his drag-queen persona Lily Savage, that shot up to fame in 90s.
This wasn’t an easy task by any means, and the documentary promises to delve more into the details of his career and the small beginnings he had in the London gay scene in the 70s and 80s which at the time wasn’t exactly very LGBT-friendly.
Lily Savage was credited for representing drag-culture and many thank Paul himself for using his platform for doing so much good for the queer community. The documentary also features interviews from some of the late-comedians friends like Sir Ian McKellen, Julian Clary, and Graham Norton.
Producer Clare Burton has this to say,
It has been very emotional and moving to interview the people who knew him best and to delve into the golden archive of Paul in his absolute prime.
Paul O’Grady’s Daughter
Sharon Mousley is O’Grady’s only child and the new documentary ‘The Life and Death of Lily Savage’ goes into deeper detail on their relationship and her experience supporting her father’s persona.
Although Paul O’Grady was gay, Sharon was conceived when he was just 19 with his friend Diane Jansen. Mousley has this to say,
My mum and dad met in the early Seventies. They were just friends, then poof! Sharyn was born… I think he didn’t know if he was gay or straight when I was born, so he liked to just keep everything separate
Despite this, Sharyn was very supportive of Lily Savage, she even bought the tights that O’Grady used during his performances. The shopkeeper at the time even asked her ‘Are you coming in for your dad’s tights?’, which , just showcases how famous Lily Savage was at the time.
Sharoyn wasn’t allowed to see her dad’s performances when she was a kid because Lily Savage wasn’t technically “child-friendly” with each set being quite explicit, she did occasionally watch those performances when she was a teenager.
As I got older, I went to see Lily, It was a lot to take in, because he was my dad at the end of the day! So he’s got six-inch heels on with a massive blonde wig.
The Life and Death of Paul O’Grady
Over his career, O’Grady received two National Television Awards, a British Comedy Award, and a Bafta. He received an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008 for his contributions to entertainment. He was named a deputy lieutenant for the county of Kent in 2022.
His built his own fanbase with his numerous stand-up acts and late-night TV showcases and even hosting. With the most notable show he had was the Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs which followed him and his staff at the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which resulted in multiple awards and the rehoming of multiple pets, including one for himself.
He was a true advocate of LGBTQ+ rights and weeks after his death, many revisited and talked about the moment at the Vauxhall Tavern where Paul faced off against police officers who raided the venue, in what was believed to be a move to intimidate the LGBTQ+ community.
During the raid, In true O’Grady fashion, while wearing elaborate drag costumes and make-up he quipped that they were just strippers, and part of the show.
In O’Grady’s will £775,000 of his £15M fortune were aggregated to charities that were close to his heart: £500k of that fortune was given to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, £50k was given to the Salvation Army, another £50k to elephant and orangutan charities, and of course, his own fur-babies were left with £125k with specific instructions on how to take care of these dogs.
Paul would truly be missed, an advocate, an animal lover, and a comedian. His documentary and final show would air on March 29 at ITV, one day after his death last year. For all things comedy, head to our website! But, if you’re looking for a fun night-out then then head to Big Belly Comedy Club, where we’ve got great comedy shows lined-up for you 7 nights a week!
