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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Beth Ure

Moment Paul O'Grady was 'big blonde from Birkenhead' on Brookside

Paul O'Grady made a guest appearance in Brookside as Lily Savage.

Fans have been remembering their favourite Paul O'Grady moments after he sadly passed away last night, and many have mentioned his appearance in the Liverpool soap Brookside. Paul appeared in the episode as Lily Savage, attending the grand opening of Barry and Max's restaurant.

Throughout his career, Paul O'Grady hosted The Paul O'Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV's multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line Up.

READ MORE: Paul O'Grady TV moment we all completely forgot about

Paul posted a still from the episode on his Instagram account back in 2021 reminiscing about the appearance. In the caption, he said: "Remember Brookside? Here’s Lily with Barry Grant played by Paul Usher.

"Lily had been sent by Sizzler the Gangster to open Barry’s new Restaurant. He’d been told a big blonde from Birkenhead was coming but I don’t think Lily was quite what he expected…"

People in the comments were loving the reminder. One person said: "Loved Lily Savage, our Vera & all the gang....brilliant." and another said: "I remember watching you on Brookside, this was great. what a great picture of yourself and Barry grant being the gangsters mum."

Fans of Paul O'Grady were used to seeing him dress up as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage, who quickly became a staple in mainstream TV in the 90s after a rise in popularity among the LGBT community in the 80s. She was known for favouring a tongue-in-cheek banter that often left viewers reeling due to its scandalous nature, but she hung up her heels in 2004 after a 20-year run.

All episodes of Brookside, including Lily Savage's appearance, are available on STV player.

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