At My Mother's Knee...: and other low joints

Paul O'Grady Autobiography #1

by Paul O'Grady

Paul O'Grady is one of Britain's very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by millions, whether as the creator of the acid-tongued Blonde Bombsite, Lily Savage, or the presenter of the fantastically successful, award-winning Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4.

Now, in his own unique voice, Paul O'Grady tells story of his early life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead that started him on the long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It is a brilliantly evoked, hilarious and often moving tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep, populated by larger-than-life characters with hearts of gold and tongues as sharp as razors.

At My Mother's Knee features an unforgettable cast of rogues, rascals, lovers, fighters, saints and sinners - and one iconic bus conductress. It's a book which really does have something for everyone and which reminds us that, when all's said and done, there's a bit of savage in all of us...

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Humor, Memoir, LGBT, Ebooks

464 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2008

About the author

Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE (born 14 June 1955) was an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He was best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as whom he performed in various television series including Blankety Blank (1997–1999) and Lily Live! (2000–2001). He also appeared in the comedy sitcom Eyes Down (2003–2004) and presented several travel documentaries.

Born to a working class Irish migrant family in Birkenhead, O'Grady went through various jobs in his youth, including working in various bars, for the civil service and for social services, moving around the country to do so. It was whilst living in London in 1978 that he first turned his hand to drag, developing the character of Lily Savage based upon various female relatives of his.

Reviews

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it first came out when I was a lot younger because I loved him off the telly since I was a small child! Drag icon, comedy legend, animal lover… There will never be another quite like Paul O’Grady 🥺
I really want to dig out my copy if I still have it somewhere to re-read after the news yesterday of his untimely passing!

I’ve always been a fan of Drag Queens, and long before there was my avid interest in RuPaul’s Drag Race, there was Lily Savage. The quintessential example of the old style of British Drag - end of Blackpool Pier humour, biting wit, sharp comedy… But she was a TV star!
And so was Paul out of drag, in his suit doing his chat show. That was always on over tea time in our house. His passing hit me because it’s like losing a staple of my childhood.

It was lovely to see somebody unapologetically being themselves on mainstream/daytime television before it even was a thing. As a pansexual, autistic, person.. I have always felt different and alien to this world before I even knew of these labels, before I knew they applied to myself and how I identify.

You were an icon Paul, a hero to many humans and dogs alike! You will be missed. RIP 💖

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Paul O'Grady and he couldn't have been more true to himself in his book if he'd tried. I laughed so hard reading this book that I cried, and the only criticism I have of it at all is that it ended, when I wanted it to go on and on. If you're a fan of Paul O'Grady you should read this, you will love it.

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am partial to a biography now and then as a change to my psychological crime novels and this one ticked the box. I have always liked the friendly, quick witted, Paul O'Grady more as a personality if honest than the entertainer Lily Savage and when I saw this book on Amazon for a bargain 99p thought why not. What I received was an interesting and not surprising amusing tale of Paul's early life growing up in Birkenhead that was certainly light entertainment.
What I didn't realise at the time was that he has so much to tell that I think he is already on book 4 of his life. This particular book covers his early life and his first jobs prior to entering the entertainment world and rather than been full of famous people with anecdotes it is loaded with humorous unknown characters that would easily fit in a Tom Sharpe novel.
A good read and I would certainly read more of his life in the future.

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul O'Grady is one of Britain's very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by millions, whether as the creator of the acid-tongued Blonde Bombsite, Lily Savage, the presenter of the fantastically successful, award-winning Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4 or the massive hit ITV show, For the Love of Dogs at Battersea Dogs and Cats home, also the great Animals Orphans filmed in Africa.

Now, in his own unique voice, Paul O'Grady tells story of his "early" life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead that started him on the long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It is a evoked, hilarious and often moving tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep, populated by larger-than-life characters with hearts of gold and tongues as sharp as razors.

At My Mother's Knee features a cast of rogues, rascals, lovers, fighters, saints and sinners - and one iconic bus conductress. It's a book which really does have something for everyone and which reminds us that, when all's said and done, there's a bit of savage in all of us...

Okay the story of his autobiography, now my thoughts. I thought this was his life story, his autobiography, and was shocked when the book finished and he was only 18 years old !!

Now I release his autobiographies are four books, so far, a good money earning business, his first 18 years took 352 pages, yes agreed a busy young life, but I was let down after this first autobiography.

I wanted to read his whole story, I admire and respect the important work he does now, especially with my love of animals, and the part of his life story I read was okay, but not his life story.

Personally I do not want to read four books to catch up with his life story, too many books to read.

[Polly Tiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was writing my book "I Need an Exorcism" I read Paul O'Gradys books, At My Mothers Knee, The Devil Rides Out and Still Standing. Now I re-read his books if I need to cheer myself up. I have read them a few times now. Struggling with my book I even pretended I was telling Paul a story to get me to write better. Much of my humour in my book I've managed as a result of reading Paul's books. I am the same age as Paul so it was very interesting to compare where I was at in my life when he was describing his life. His life was a lot more interesting than mine. And the Elephant and Castle, pub, I heard the Peter Skellern song about it years ago but I couldn't make out the words so I didn't know exactly how rough the pub was until I read Pauls books. And the opening to Still Standing, his description of a Leeds pub, well, it's beyond belief the brewery allows that pub to be open. Makes my local look very tame in comparison. For those of a somewhat nervous disposition, like myself, I can safely say that reading these books will be an education in themselves and make anyones problems look smaller in comparison. I will always re-read these books. Love 'em.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to give this 10 stars if possible. In parts laugh-out-loud funny but also at times very poignant, this is a marvellous evocation of a Catholic working class upbringing in the 1950s through to the mid-70s. Highly recommended.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite autobiographies. I have been a fan of Paul O'Grady for a long time, I think he's fantastic and funny without even trying to be. I loved his teatime show on Channel 4. This book chronicles his life up until (I think) he is 18 and is very funny.

I am from Liverpool so recognised the places he was talking about from my side of the water, but not the places he wrote about from his side. But that didn't matter. It was fantastic reading about Paul's life growing up and what he got up to as a child and then a teenager, he certainly had an eventful life up until he was 18. And even after that his life became even more eventful.

Definitely not a book to miss for O'Grady fans.

[Selene · Rating 1 out of 5]

Now I like Paul O'Grady, I really do but... This was so boring! He tells it as it was, rather than in his TV voice - and I like the TV voice so it just didn't make me want to carry on. Got about half way through.

[Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally hilarious, couldn't put it down..
"It was Brother Kearney who gave my mother her favourite quote about me. He was the one who said 'born to trouble as sparks fly upwards'. 'Job, chapter five, verse seven,' my mother had replied, completely knocking the wind out of his sails."

[Charlie Trafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a mega huge O'Grady fan, I love this man, his devotion to animals is just amazing, He can do no wrong in my eyes, this is a funny, sad and comical book, telling the story of Paul's early life in Birkenhead.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was heartwarming, funny, sometimes sad but above all, brutally honest.
I laughed out loud at Paul's shenanigans and I cried at the end. This is hands down the best autobiography I have read to date.

[Robbie Haigh-mclane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought such a man could make me cry reading this!! Emotional, funny , raw and full of life!

[Jessica Macdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly as you’d expect a paul o’grady autobiography to be - funny, tongue-in-cheek and scandalous. Also who ever heard of leaving an autobiography on a cliffhanger??

However, the writing style did make this a bit hard to read, he kept jumping from point to point and back again, definitely think it could have done with a few more edits

[Charlotte Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read, I absolutely loved it and to see how hard it was growing up back in the 60's and 70's and being gay was so hard and it wasn't acceptable like nowadays

[Dekks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on bit of a Whim and found it utterly engrossing, I was never a particular fan of Lilly Savage or Paul O'Grady, but he is a fantastic writer. Other autobiography writers should take note, his stories are interesting but despite being written by the protagonist himself, I never felt anything was played down or over dramatized, and that he simply wrote about his experiences growing up without any prejudice or spin on his part.

Looking forward to reading the next installment of his life.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an entertaining read, I knew he had a colourful background he is frank and honest and you can see where Lily came from, his family is interesting,the women are strong, powerful and compassionate stubborn creatures who are every bit as colourful as our Paul, the men hold a prehapes quieter place, but are none the less as inportant, it was interesting reading about his feelings and confusion about his sexuality,a recommend but possibly for fans only - cant wait for the sequel!

[Debra C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed quite a bit of this book. I found it interesting to find out about life in Birkenhead for Paul O'Grady, as it's an area I know. There were some funny stories, which were entertaining. There was also some sad moments. There were some good observations from his own memories which were good. The book showed the ups and downs of life. There were some bits that were a bit slow at times. Reading about someone's early life makes you look at them differently.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

Likeable and occasionally entertaining though Mr O'Grady might be - this book is certainly not 'hilarious' and ultimately just...pointless. (I only read it whilst a member of a reading group - the premise of the group being that members were encouraged to read books they might ordinarily never consider reading - thanks reading group!).

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I mean no disrespect to Paul O'grady but this is what I imagine Jeffrey Archer aims for in his works of fictions and keeps failing at it.
Maybe Paul's secret ingredient is that the people in this are all real.

[Lynrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved it! I can't believe that by the end of the book he's only just reached the age of 18 and not yet got into show business. It's completely absorbing, hilarious and vividly written. I can't wait for the next installment of his life!

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always liked Paul O'Grady, he's very funny and also seems to be a genuinely nice guy. I enjoyed this first instalment of his life story, it's written in an almost conversational, rambling style with the author going off at lots of interesting tangents.

[[ J o ] · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Short review from memory until I re-read and re-review at a later date:

No memory really, but I assume quite amusing if not enlightening. Just your average autobiography, I think.]

[Terry Ravenscroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eat you heart out Peter Kay.

[Alison Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, looking forward to reading the others.

[Hayley T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great fun read, well written and personal. A lovely account of Paul's early life.

[Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I enjoyed learning about Paul's past and life in Liverpool and the many characters in his family. Got this book at a charity shop second hand.

[Tracy Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that has been sitting on my bookshelves for absolutely ages - but I am so glad I plucked this one to read as I really enjoyed it!

Reading autobiographies is not normally my thing - this is only the 3rd one I've read - but this was written in such an honest and funny way, it was so enjoyable to read.

Paul comes across as such a lovely young man in the book, exactly how he was when he got older, and you could really see the normality of his upbringing and the warmth of his family.

It was also funny and sad at times to hear his exploits as he got older and more into the drag queen scene - there were some so lovely moments later in the book and you could really see where his inspiration for the awesome Lily Savage came from!

I loved this book and - I won't spoil the ending - but I finished it knowing I wanted to read the next book to see what happened next!

A lovely book written by a lovely, kind and wonderful man!

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

like Anna said it’s a bit weird rating someone’s memoir when it’s so deeply personal. i thought this was really interesting at points but other times i was a bit more skimming. interesting perspective on class and religion in post ww2 merseyside. it’s only 1/4 of his biographies which feel may be a little overkill like i wish it had got more into his adult life but then at the same time he had so many stories to fill that you can see why he wrote so many.
very nice to have a look into the early years of such an iconic man
3.5 ⭐️

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring his family background and his early years in Liverpool. Amusing and slightly shocking in places but you can hear him narrating all the way through. You can see where he got his inspiration for Lilly Savage from.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss Paul O'Grady so much, I could hear so much of this book in his voice. He truly was such a legend and icon for the queer community and will forever be missed. He had such an interesting and varied life and had such a way with words