Paul O’Grady forced to give up job he loved as friend recalls difficult decision

09 April 2023 , 20:28

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Paul O’Grady forced to give up job he loved as friend recalls difficult decision

The late Paul O'Grady continued to perform and plan projects up until his tragic death last month but a friend of the star has revealed he was forced to give up a career he loved early on in his performing career.

In ITV's For The Love Of Paul O'Grady, the star's friends praised his alter-ego Lily Savage as they recalled his path to success.

Paul worked hard honing his act in front of adoring audiences in London's pubs and clubs but was eventually forced to make the "heartbreaking decision" to "give up the day job he loved" in order to progress his career.

Paul settled in London where he split his time between working as a social worker in Camden and performing as Lily Savage.

Paul O’Grady was forced to give up job he loved

One of the late star's close friends said: "He was really into his job, being a social worker was his calling but he had to give up the work because he could only spread himself so thinly."

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"I think when you know you're a performer, which he knew deep down, nothing is going to stop you from performing," he added.

After 13 years working the underground circuit, Paul hit the big time and Lily Savage became a regular fixture on Britain's TVs in the morning on The Big Breakfast.

The 67-year-old worked as a peripatetic care officer in the 1970s, living in with elderly people and dysfunctional families, which it was said had a lasting effect on him, deepening his appreciation of the misfortune of those who found themselves at the bottom of the social ladder.

Paul O'Grady hit the big time after honing his act at Lily Savage (Fremantle Media/REX/Shutterstock)

Paul O'Grady's biggest love was his passion for rescue dogs (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking to the Mirror in 2016, Paul recalled the terrifying moment he saved a child from a knife-wielding maniac during his time as a social worker.

He revealed how he fled the flat where he was keeping watch on the baby after a terrifying confrontation with the little lad’s drunken father. The ordeal ended with him making a desperate phone call to the Salvation Army for help who offered it no questions asked.

This night forged a long-standing admiration of Paul for the Christian charity.

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Charlotte McIntyre