Paul O'Grady's final TV series and documentary on his life set to air this Easter

8 March 2024

Paul O’Grady's final TV show and a documentary about his life will air this Easter.

Paul O'Grady's final TV show and documentary about his life will air this Easter

The entertainer passed away on 28 March 2023 at the age of 67 after suffering a sudden cardiac arrhythmia at his home, weeks after he filmed ‘Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure’.

It has now been revealed that the programme, which celebrates the work of elephant conservation centres in Thailand and Laos, will be airing on ITV1 over Easter alongside the 90-minute documentary about the comic’s career, ‘The Life and Death of Lily Savage’.

Executive Producer at Silver Star Clare Barton told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It was an honour and a privilege to make Paul’s final TV project with him out in South East Asia, coupled with the opportunity to pay tribute to him with a deep dive into the life of his most famous creation – Lily Savage.

"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.”

The documentary follows Paul throughout the AIDS crisis as he created his iconic drag character, Lily Savage, who became a staple of London's underground gay venues in the '70s and '80s before becoming a smash character he took on the road as part of his sold-out comedy shows.

The programme will also see ‘Blankety Blank’ host Paul’s friends and family reflect on their relationship with the stand-up, and is set to include appearances from Sir Ian McKellen, Graham Norton and Julian Clary.

Controller of Factual at ITV Joe Clinton-Davis added about the show: “This blue chip feature-length documentary reveals the little known biography of Paul’s alter ego Lily – from her birth in the docks of Liverpool to her mysterious ‘death’ on mainstream TV.

“Set against the background of social and political change and upheaval, it features Paul's own voice and those who were closest to him – including his daughter Sharyn.

“This is a layered and richly entertaining tribute to the wonderful Paul O'Grady.”