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Paul O'Grady - The Biography
Comedian, teatime talk show host and all-round entertainer, multi-award winning Paul O'Grady is one of the most popular figures on British television.But his real-life journey has been more dramatic than any of his on-stage stories.Born into a noisy Irish Catholic household in Birkenhead, Paul was always determined to live a colourful life. He was a boxing champion as a boy. He became a dad as a teenager. He has been a barman in a brothel and spent his first years in London working as a carer to some of the capital's most at-risk kids.In this, the first major biography of the star, Neil Simpson reveals the extraordinary highs and the terrible lows of Paul's life. He explains: how Lily Savage was born as a way to make more money - and help Paul take his mind off the horrors he saw every day as a social worker; how tough it was for the 'blonde bombsite from Birkenhead' to break into the entertainment mainstream; and, why Paul decided to risk everything by throwing off Lily's wig and carving out a new career as himself.The depression, the private grief and the near fatal heart attacks that struck as Paul re-invented himself as the funniest and most successful chat show host in the country. Frequently hilarious and sometimes heart-wrenchingly sad, Paul O'Grady has always lived his life on a rollercoaster of emotions. Today he is a proud grandfather, a multimillionaire and a man loved by millions of devoted fans. This is his incredible story.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 18, 2023
I love Paul O'Grady but this was just 'ok' for me, I just didn't find this book very engaging.
I don't rate peoples lives so its an auto 5 star from me.
I don't rate peoples lives so its an auto 5 star from me.
August 2, 2011
good read, shame it wasn't written by him. would have been a better read if he hadn't got someone to write his story for him. that ruined it for me to be honest. still love him though, bring back lily!!!
December 27, 2012
As some comments below, the author wrote this from their own free will, Paul didn't ask the author to write his story. After reading this and comparing to the books Paul ACTUALLY wrote himself, the one by Neil Simpson is inaccurate and obviously didn't proof read or do the proper research.
February 9, 2020
I know the old dears love him but it was interesting to read how he started out and nothing in Pauls life has run smoothly.
July 29, 2011
He is brilliant and as both a bad and great life so far, who he keep working on tv our best comedian /presenter we have
May 25, 2014
Brilliant witty and heart warming.
January 22, 2014
Great read!
always loved paul but now have a new found respect for him also! he's a tough nut! highly recommend to everyone
always loved paul but now have a new found respect for him also! he's a tough nut! highly recommend to everyone
July 27, 2026
This unauthorised biography was written before Paul O'Grady's own memoir. I recall the man kept mentioning, for what seemed like quite a while, his plans to write it during his teatime chat show on ITV. It seems that journalist Neil Simpson saw an opportunity in the market and decided to quickly write a book about Paul, who had recently become even more loved than his retired alter ego, Lily Savage.
Because Simpson got Paul's birthdate wrong, I approached the book with modest expectations. However, I found it to be an enjoyable, fast-paced overview of Paul's diverse life and career. There were many quotes from the man himself, taken from press interviews (though I know that people are often misquoted), which made me laugh. These quotes, along with words from those who knew him (again sourced from the press archive), added credibility to the text and supported Simpson's narrative.
I believe that this book was largely compiled from press clippings. Annoyingly, there is no bibliography listing the sources used, which would have been useful. The author seems to have had very little, if any, original input from the key figures in Paul's life. Nevertheless, I still found it a useful resource for learning about Paul's stage and television appearances that he did not cover in his own books. If you're not inclined to read through four chunky volumes of his autobiography, as he published in total, this book offers a more accessible alternative.
Of course, the downside is that Paul's own works will naturally have more authoritative insights than this biography, and his own voice running through it in every sentence. Here, Simpson often describes how Paul felt at various moments for dramatic effect. But, of course, he couldn't have really known if this was accurate.
Overall, this is a warm biography, yes, a cash-in, but definitely not a hatchet job like some stars have been subjected to. For a more thorough exploration of Paul's career, we now have "Not the Same Without You," a heartfelt biography written by Paul's longtime friend, Malcolm Prince, who clearly has much deeper insights about him than Neil Simpson has.
Because Simpson got Paul's birthdate wrong, I approached the book with modest expectations. However, I found it to be an enjoyable, fast-paced overview of Paul's diverse life and career. There were many quotes from the man himself, taken from press interviews (though I know that people are often misquoted), which made me laugh. These quotes, along with words from those who knew him (again sourced from the press archive), added credibility to the text and supported Simpson's narrative.
I believe that this book was largely compiled from press clippings. Annoyingly, there is no bibliography listing the sources used, which would have been useful. The author seems to have had very little, if any, original input from the key figures in Paul's life. Nevertheless, I still found it a useful resource for learning about Paul's stage and television appearances that he did not cover in his own books. If you're not inclined to read through four chunky volumes of his autobiography, as he published in total, this book offers a more accessible alternative.
Of course, the downside is that Paul's own works will naturally have more authoritative insights than this biography, and his own voice running through it in every sentence. Here, Simpson often describes how Paul felt at various moments for dramatic effect. But, of course, he couldn't have really known if this was accurate.
Overall, this is a warm biography, yes, a cash-in, but definitely not a hatchet job like some stars have been subjected to. For a more thorough exploration of Paul's career, we now have "Not the Same Without You," a heartfelt biography written by Paul's longtime friend, Malcolm Prince, who clearly has much deeper insights about him than Neil Simpson has.
September 4, 2023
Paul O'Grady the Legend
What a fantastic book. Written with care, honesty, dignity and humour. All traits that truly show the real Paul O'Grady. This book shows him in a real and humane way. Thank you for the opportunity to share with the wider world what a treasure he was.
What a fantastic book. Written with care, honesty, dignity and humour. All traits that truly show the real Paul O'Grady. This book shows him in a real and humane way. Thank you for the opportunity to share with the wider world what a treasure he was.
April 28, 2019
Paul at his best
Loved all his books and this one didn't disappoint. An honest account of life, love, Health worries and bereavement .
Loved all his books and this one didn't disappoint. An honest account of life, love, Health worries and bereavement .
June 9, 2023
Fantastic read
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I could imagine Paul reading it to me as if he were in the same room. Very funny and so sad in places.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I could imagine Paul reading it to me as if he were in the same room. Very funny and so sad in places.
June 21, 2023
Very interesting read and well written
June 22, 2024
Amazing funny book. I couldn't put it down. Gifted it on top my mother to read
February 19, 2017
An interesting read on a remarkable man's life.
November 28, 2016
what a great book about a great man - Paul O Grady is a classic entertainer. His roots are in old fashonied variety shows and even vaudeville which is why his afternoon show is such a showcase for ordinary people with a bit of guts and talent. What this book does so well is to show why Paul supports ordinary people and underdogs. His history is amazing, you can almost sense him watching the women at market stalls and magistrates courts when he put Lily Savage together. But Lily was only a stepping stone - it is clear he always wanted to be himself and give other people a chance to shine. The emotional stuff in the book is heartbreaking without being intrusive. Paul has quietly got on with life when all has been falling down around him. Just like the survivors he has always admired. what a showman.
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November 28, 2016Fantastic book and i would tell you to read it especially if like myself you are a big Paul O'Grady fan.
This book had me hocked from the first page and i found it so hard to put the book down
This book had me hocked from the first page and i found it so hard to put the book down
August 31, 2020
I remember when I was bought this book 12 years ago for my birthday. I loved it
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews