It's been nearly 30 years since Paul O'Grady came face to face with "the real" Lily Savage.
Today, tributes have been flooding in following the news Merseyside legend Paul O'Grady has died aged 67. The comedian and TV personality had audiences in stitches for more than three decades and first rose to prominence as his drag queen persona Lily Savage in the 1980s and 1990s, before going on to host a string of television programmes,
But back in 1994, Paul O'Grady, from Birkenhead, met the "real" Lily Savage - a great-grandmother living in Port Sunlight. At the time, BBC researcher Janet McKenna tracked down the 81-year-old down while working on new BBC2 series Life Swap, but the episode is said to have not aired.
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The six-part series offered people the chance to trade places with their opposites. Cameras followed both Lily's around as they swapped lives for the day, seeing the real Lily move into her namesake's home as comedienne Lily played bingo -and had her hair done in Port Sunlight.
Chatting to ECHO reporter Paddy Shennan in November 1994, the real Lily at the time revealed: "I didn't know anything about the other Lily until about two weeks before the BBC rang me out of the blue.
"One of my granddaughters arrived one day with a poster of her or him. I hesitated at first when the BBC asked me if I would appear on TV with Lily, but my family said: 'Go on, mum. You've got nothing to lose.
"They came down for the filming and stayed from 9am to 7pm. It was a fantastic day and I'd do it all again. Lily came in and sat chatting over a cup of tea as if she was one of the family."
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On the episode, the great grandmother tried her hand at a spot of presenting, while her namesake carried out a few household chores before popping down to the bingo and then having her hair done. Lily, who had recently celebrated her 81st birthday, said: "I'm a big fan now and I love watching Lily on TV. She sent me a beautiful basket of flowers as did the BBC for my birthday and a lovely, framed photograph."
At the time, Paul O'Grady, aka Lily Savage, told the ECHO they couldn't believe the other Lily lived in their "neck of the woods." They said: "We had a ball. Lily was great, she really got into it. And I had a brilliant time with all the pensioners at the local bingo.
We went down on a 'dial-a-ride bus and all sang Here we go... I was staggered when the BBC said they had tracked down the real Savage, especially when they told me she lived in my neck of the woods. "
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Photographer Bernard Rose was there in 1994 to capture the pair whilst they were filming the BBC2 series. Bernard said: "Such sad news this morning about Paul O'Grady, I photographed him in Port Sunlight during 1994 when he was being film for BBC Life Swap with Port Sunlight's Lily Savage.
"I was only there briefly to do this doorstep photo call. He was very charming and certainly got on well with Mrs Lily Savage. He posed naturally for the shoot and was very friendly."
In a statement today, Paul's partner Andre Portasio, said : "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
"We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
"I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years." Most recently, Paul O'Grady has been travelling up and down the country to play Miss Hannigan in the touring stage version of Annie."
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