Television Paul O'Grady

1 television

1.1 blankety blank, travel shows, , eyes down: 1998–2003
1.2 paul o grady show: 2004–05
1.3 new paul o grady show: 2006–09; 2013–2015
1.4 paul o grady live: 2010–12
1.5 paul o grady: love of dogs: 2012–present
1.6 paul o grady s animal orphans: 2014–2016
1.7 blind date: 2017–present
1.8 other television work

television
blankety blank, travel shows, , eyes down: 1998–2003

in 1998, bbc produced six-week sunday series titled lily savage show, although o grady found scripted, non-spontaneous nature of series difficult. had convinced janet street-porter appear on show floor-manager, , interviewed such guests alan yentob, anthea turner, , elton john. show not received. @ same time, bbc had decided revive quiz show blankety blank, had been hosted terry wogan , les dawson. selected o grady present show in role of lily savage, allowing him ad lib rather strictly follow script, filming pilot episode in 1997; after pilot hit, commissioned full series. increased public profile, o grady invited on many other television chat shows, such richard , judy, while in guise of lily, , agreed appear in christmas special of cookery show ready, steady, cook alongside friend barbara windsor. continuing theatre work, went on eight-week tour lily, before starring mrs hannigan in west end performance of musical annie, appeared in 6 evening performances , 2 matinees per week. subsequently accompanied show on tour of uk, before appearing in pantomime in birmingham winter. deciding on move countryside, in 1999 o grady purchased house in aldington, kent £650,000 comedian vic reeves, proceeding decorate in art nouveau style , establish smallholding in keep various animals.

screened on primetime saturday night, blankety blank proved ratings winner bbc, attracting audience of 9 million. rival company itv purchased it, offering o grady two-year deal £1 million. itv let him more risque in use of humour on blankety blank, , commissioned new comedy series, lily live!. show proved success, earning o grady nominations both best comedy entertainment personality , programme @ 2000 british comedy awards. however, o grady had tired of appearing lily, , decided try make career himself out of drag. first appeared himself in advert campaign double 2 shirt-makers, before pitched proposed six-part travelogue series itv, agreed part-fund it. project resulted in paul o grady s orient, travelled throughout east , southeast asia, visiting shanghai, hong kong, philippines, bangkok, bali , singapore. although poorly received tabloid press, achieved ratings, , itv commissioned second series, paul o grady s america, in visited new york city, miami, new orleans, dallas, san francisco, , los angeles. again received poor tabloid reviews.

although believed have assets totalling £4 million, o grady found newfound material wealth brought him little comfort , time suffered clinical depression. recovered in time perform alongside cilla black , barbara windsor in burlesque rendition of gotta have gimmick @ 2001 royal variety performance; televised event attracted 11.5 million viewers. in april 2002, o grady suffered heart attack, , rushed st. thomas s hospital in south london, doctors attributed combination of congential family heart problems stress, heavy smoking , caffeine. spending several weeks recovering, missed heritage foundation awards ceremony, awarded television personality of year award. returning work, appeared child catcher in twelve-week run of musical chitty chitty bang bang @ london palladium, co-starred michael ball , brian blessed. first theatrical performance character not largely based on lily savage, , earned him reviews. followed pantomime performance wicked queen in snow white @ manchester opera house. o grady gave smoking 2 years after first heart attack.

in 2003, o grady appeared in celebrity driving school, bbc comic relief show in learned drive alongside friends nadia sawalha , jade goody. earned driving licence shortly after show culminated, , nominated best television moment of year award 1 of tantrums on show. received invite appear on gordon ramsay s hells kitchen declined, citing strong dislike reality television. had received various offers star in sitcom, genre typically disliked. however, after reading show s script, agreed appear in new bbc sitcom eyes down. set in merseyside bingo hall, played manager, ray, humorously commenting s evil, twisted man hates moves. not challenge me . screened in prime friday night slot @ 9 pm, show received poor , mediocre reviews although popular viewers, , renewed second series. bbc planning on reviving generation game, , brought o grady in presenter. filming 2 pilot episodes in 2003, both o grady , production team unhappy result, o grady leaving project. o grady ended 2003 pantomime performance @ bristol hippodrome.

the paul o grady show: 2004–05



paul o grady, c.2004

o grady had gained experience daytime television presenter standing in des o connor in 9 episodes of itv s lunchtime chat show today des , mel. having got on co-presenter melanie sykes, enjoyed feeling of presenting live. itv executives deemed such success offered him own daytime chat show, news of agreement going public in autumn 2004; result paul o grady show. there initial press scepticism , concern o grady s style of adult humour not appropriate daytime slot, itv s controller of entertainment, mark wells, declared paul 1 of funniest people on television – deserves on far more is.

the show first aired on october 2004 5-6pm , saw o grady interviewing celebrity guests, representing glorious mix of seemingly unscripted banter, chat , slapstick humour . in producing show, o grady worked many of old friends, including warm-up man andy collins. series hit, attaining between 2.5 , 2.7 million viewers daily, better itv had anticipated. according o grady biographer neil simpson, show unashamedly populist, riotous, endearingly kitsch romp no pretensions other pure entertainment. in ways pure vaudeville[...] there novelty acts, talking dogs, whistling goldfish, extraordinary stories. audience laughed drains @ anecdotes , brought right heart of show. inclusion of dog, buster, on show proved particularly popular audiences.

the show gained devout following, extraordinary hardcore of fans [who] try @ many recordings possible , in many cases arriving @ studio gates 2 hours before advertised starting time best seats. o grady s biographer neil simpson commented on crowds coming see show being recorded when related groups of middle aged women dominate – joined beautiful twenty-something women flawless make-up, flash city boys louis vuitton briefcases, hip-looking students out time , pensioners wanting laugh in afternoon. in many cases, fans queuing see show had turned away because many had turned up, , live shows many hundred had turned away.

biographer neil simpson, 2008

although failed gain greater audience bbc quiz show weakest link, paul o grady show attracted audience half million larger of rival daytime chat show, channel 4 s richard & judy. british tabloids stoked rivalry between these 2 competing shows, calling rivalry chat wars . after richard , judy s production company warned joan collins banned further appearances on channel 4 if agreed appear on both show , paul o grady show. o grady accused them of (...)fighting dirty now. m not bothered s on other side have said, if come on show don t go on theirs 3 years. how stupid that? later claimed tabloids had been making false quotes attributed him, describing richard , judy lovely couple , haven t fallen out. hate fuss being made.

in winter 2004, o grady again performed in pantomime, time in snow white , 7 dwarfs @ west end s victoria palace; contract attracted attention due fact being paid £70,000 week in addition profit-related bonuses. after second series of paul o grady show commissioned, in march 2005 awarded best daytime programme royal television society, , o grady himself subsequently awarded best entertainment performance @ baftas. in personal life, o grady devastated when manager , best friend brendan murphy contracted brain cancer; o grady hid diagnosis press , cared murphy @ kent home; later commented watch love, healthy, eloquent man, unable speak or walk hideous. murphy died aged 49, 2 days before o grady s fiftieth birthday, , buried in local kentish churchyard. o grady subsequently became embroiled in legal arguments surrounding murphy s will, although continued working distract himself grief. in august 2005 furore enveloped show when publicly revealed staff member responsible interviewing prospective child reporters had written derogatory notes on many of them, such think special needs , common , thick , , black girl: no . o grady on holiday when story hit tabloids, proceeding offer public apology, sending card , flowers affected, , firing staff member responsible.

the new paul o grady show: 2006–09; 2013–2015


paul o grady, on show

prior latter s death, o grady had promised murphy own production company – named olga tv after 1 of o grady s dogs – take creative control on paul o grady show. itv refused allow this, , o grady decided take offer channel 4 move show channel; here renamed new paul o grady show, , share slot former rival richard , judy. o grady s move highly criticised in press, accused of abandoning itv in pursuit of higher salary; channel 4 offered him contract £2 million year, making him 1 of britain s highest paid television stars. itv executives furious @ o grady move; refused olga tv permission continue using studio premises, leading show relocate bbc s studio 1 in broadcasting house. while channel 4 began screening new paul o grady show, itv screened repeat episodes of paul o grady show in attempt confuse viewers , draw them channel. nevertheless, show continued receive reviews.

in june 2006, o grady suffered second massive heart attack while @ kent home; taken william harvey hospital in ashford underwent angioplasty surgery. following incident, received around 7000 get-well-soon cards , letters fans , well-wishers. returned work second series of new paul o grady show in september, during show s viewing figures hit new peak. deal health issues, began taking week off mid-series, replaced guest presenters such cilla black, brian conley, lorraine kelly, , vernon kay. tabloids tried re-ignite chat wars claiming rivalry between o grady , other daytime television shows such sharon osbourne show , brian conley show, o grady refused participate. subsequently won ten years @ top award @ tv quick , tv choice awards.

on 28 june 2008, o grady appeared in doctor episode stolen earth. in september 2008, appeared in two-hour-long show, called ghosthunting paul o grady & friends, filmed in sicily, fellow liverpudlians jennifer ellison, philip olivier , natasha hamilton. on 6 june 2009, daily mirror confirmed o grady signed new two-year contract channel 4 in autumn 2009 keep show on air until end of 2011. however, channel 4 told o grady show face huge budget cuts, salary halved. on monday 21 september 2009, o grady returned present 11th (including itv series) , final series of paul o grady show. on 14 october 2009, o grady agreed £8 million deal itv host friday prime-time chat-show, rival of bbc 1 s friday night jonathan ross 2010, after budget talks broke down channel 4.

on 30 november 2009, o grady guest presenter on gmtv limited s gmtv lorraine, in celebration of lorraine kelly s 50th birthday. has guest starred on living s paranormal show, haunted live!, after presenter yvette fielding guest on show , invited him on. in november 2009, o grady reunited yvette fielding take part in two-part paranormal investigation series called death in venice , fielding investigated haunted locations in venice.

on 18 december 2009, channel 4 broadcast final episode of paul o grady show, after 11 series.

in 2005, liverpool john moores university awarded o grady honorary fellowship services entertainment, , in 2010, received honorary doctor of arts de montfort university, leicester, in recognition of outstanding contribution television, radio , stage.

in autumn of 2013, o grady began hosting revival of teatime chat show paul o grady show on itv. series produced own production company olga tv , filmed @ london studios. in november 2013, o grady suffered angina attack , underwent further heart surgery. said trying give smoking @ time. show returned further series in 2014 , 2015.

paul o grady live: 2010–12

o grady made deal itv present new friday night chat show, paul o grady live. first series aired ten episodes september november 2010. in october, o grady attracted media attention after using paul o grady live criticise conservative-liberal democrat coalition government implementation of mass cuts social services. called them bastards , proclaimed know got up? tories hooping , hollering when heard cuts. gonna scrap pensions – yeah! – no more wheelchairs – yeah! ... bet when children laughed in bambi when mother got shot. ofcom received several complaints on incident, though bambi quote after quoted peter taffe @ socialism 2010 conference. o grady voiced support student protesters had occupied , vandalised headquarters of conservative party @ millbank tower on 10 november 2010.

paul o grady on why quit chat show, 2012.

the show picked second series april july 2011. special devoted american pop star lady gaga aired; o grady described gaga thoroughly decent human being , , labelled himself 1 of greatest admirers. straight after, o grady holidayed in china brazilian boyfriend andré, visiting shanghai, hong kong , lhasa. o grady found himself caught in news international phone hacking scandal when police operation weeting informed him news of world reporter glenn mulcaire had hacked mobile phone. disappointed, decided not sue. in october 2011, o grady played mr slattery in stage performance of drama @ inish @ finborough in earl s court. month, itv axed paul o grady live. o grady stated itv had asked him return third series, had refused, claiming had had enough of chat show format. remarked had become fed interference show s producers , fact guests had appeared on air while under influence of illicit drug cocaine. o grady later commented having interview a-list celebrities akin conversing relative felt obliged visit.

paul o grady: love of dogs: 2012–present

since 3 september 2012, o grady has presented itv documentary series paul o grady: love of dogs, covering life @ battersea dogs , cats home. o grady commented had wanted such show years , took enthusiasm surprised except me . although scheduled film @ centre 6 days, stayed volunteer 6 months. @ end of first series, o grady invited become ambassador of battersea dogs , cats home, , bronze statue of late dog, buster, erected on plinth @ centre. adopted dog home; jack russell-chihuahua cross named eddy.

in 2015, o grady stated show wouldn t return future series. despite claim, love of dogs returned fifth series, beginning in september 2016 christmas , best in show specials. sixth series of love of dogs began in october 2017 on itv.

the first series averaged 4.07 million viewers, second averaging 4.97 million, third 3.98 million, fourth received 3.74 million viewers on average, , fifth series averaged 4.39 million viewers. show has won 2 national television awards in 2013 , 2014 popular factual entertainment programme . in 2013, programme nominated bafta.

paul o grady s animal orphans: 2014–2016

from 14 january 2014, o grady hosted three-part documentary series entitled paul o grady s animal orphans on itv, saw him travel africa meet of continent s animal orphans. second three-part series began on 20 january 2015 , third series of 2 episodes began on 14 april 2016.

the first series averaged 3.29 million viewers whilst second averaged 2.75 million.

blind date: 2017–present

on 7 february 2017, reported blind date return revived series in 2017 on channel 5. on 16 march 2017, announced o grady present series, replacing cilla black.

the show being produced television , stellify media , began airing on 17 june 2017 @ 7pm. first series concluded on 22 july 2017 , second series air in late 2017/early 2018.

other television work

o grady guest judge on episode of let s dance comic relief in february 2009. in april 2012, o grady presented 1 , des o connor, one-off special itv looked on life of des o connor. on 3 july 2013, o grady narrated itv documentary programme, me , guide dog following work of guide dogs. on 14 april 2013, o grady presented documentary burlesque performer gypsy rose lee part of itv s perspectives series. month, presented itv s british animal honours award ceremony.

in 2013, o grady guest starred cancer patient tim connor in 3 episodes of holby city. on 31 october 2013, o grady recorded non-broadcast pilot bbc 1 sitcom called led astray, starring alongside cilla black. show not commissioned full series due pair s busy schedules.

on 15 & 22 august 2013, o grady presented two-part bbc documentary series paul o grady s working britain, nominated national television award in january 2014. on 16 october 2013, o grady presented 1 , cilla black, 90-minute itv special celebrating cilla black s 50 years in show business. show later repeated shortly after cilla black s death in august 2015, o grady presenting short tribute introduce show.

in 2014, appeared in gogglebox special stand cancer. in december 2014, o grady appeared santa claus in short birds of feather sketch itv s text santa appeal. on 31 december 2014, o grady appeared in one-off itv documentary rita & me celebrating barbara knox s fifty years rita tanner in coronation street.

in 2015, o grady presented bob monkhouse: million joke man, three-part factual series gold, exploring life of comedian , presenter bob monkhouse. show looked on life of entertainer bob monkhouse. in december 2015, o grady appeared in our cilla, one-off programme life of cilla black.

in september 2015, announced o grady present new six-part series bbc one, following work of salvation army. series, called paul o grady: sally army & me aired on sunday evenings 27 march until 1 may 2016.

in june 2016, o grady presented 90-minute programme channel 4 called paul o grady s 100 years of movie musicals. on 20 december 2016, o grady presented paul o grady s favourite fairy tales, one-off special itv. same evening appeared on itv in hilda ogden s last ta-ra, tribute late coronation street actress jean alexander.

in 2017, o grady presented two-part itv series called paul o grady: love of animals – india. in june 2017, o grady s life subject of one-off channel 5 documentary called paul o grady story. in august 2017, o grady presented 3 part channel 4 documentary paul o grady s hollywood.