Paul James O’Grady MBE made several headlines after his decision to leave BBC Radio surfaced on the internet.
A broadcaster for BBC Radio 2 resigned after station management forced him to share his Sunday afternoon slot with another presenter to draw in younger listeners.
In the 2008 Birthday Honours, Paul was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to entertainment. He succeeded Roy Hudd as president of the British Music Hall Society in 2020.
The BBC presenter gained notoriety in the London gay scene in the 1980s because of his drag queen identity Lily Savage, which he used to break into the mainstream in the 1990s.
To diversify his career from the savage, the BBC presenter starred in the BBC One sitcom Eyes Down and presented two travel documentaries for ITV.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Paul James O’Grady |
| Age | 67 |
| Date of Birth | 14 June 1955 |
| Place of Birth | Tranmere, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England |
| Wife | Teresa Fernandes/Andre Portasio |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Children | one |
| Net Worth | $8 million |
| Occupation |
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Is Paul O Grady Leaving BBC Radio 2?
The BBC broadcaster said this weekend’s show would be his final broadcast after 14 years of his successful career.BBC bosses made O’Grady, 66, share a slot with Rob Beckett in the push to attract younger listeners
The 66-year-old comic has spent the last 14 years doing a Sunday afternoon show on the most listened-to radio station in the UK. However, he was obliged to give up half his appearances in February and share the time slot with comedian Rob Beckett, 36, switching off as the presenter every three months.
The 67-year-old hosted the Sunday afternoon program for almost 13 years before a change saw him regularly swapping with comic Rob Beckett.
Radio 2 fans have accused the BBC of ageism as Paul O’Grady became the latest older DJ to quit the station amid a mass exodus of popular talent, including Steve Wright, Tony Blackburn, and Andrew Marr at the corporation.
His last show will be on Sunday 14 August, with his regular features including Lost TV Theme and Thank You Letter Of The Week. His last show will be on Sunday 14 August, with his regular features including Lost TV Theme and Thank You Letter Of The Week.
Where Is He Going To Work?
The TV and radio presenter, 67, hosted the Sunday 5-7 pm slot since 2009 before a shake-up saw him regularly swapping with comic Rob Beckett, each for 13 weeks.
The 67-year-old hosted the Sunday afternoon program for almost 13 years before a change saw him regularly swapping with comic Rob Beckett.
Recently, Radio 2 has made an effort to draw a younger audience while simultaneously lowering the salaries it pays to some of its top presenters.
The departure of several older hosts, a shuffling of schedules, and the addition of fresh hosts like Michelle Visage of Drag Race UK and DJ Spoony. Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn has also expressed dissatisfaction at the move of his Golden Hour show to Sunday nights.
Paul O Grady’s Wife
Paul married his wife, Teresa Fernandes, in 1977. The actor got divorced from her in 2005.
Paul was born on 14 June 1955 at St. Catherine’s Hospital in the Tranmere area of Birkenhead, Cheshire.
Patrick “Paddy” Grady, the presenter’s father, was Irish and was born and raised in Ballincurry, County Roscommon. The BBC presenter immigrated to England in 1936 and settled in the working-class neighborhood of Birkenhead. When his father enlisted in the Royal Air Force, a paperwork error changed his name from “Grady” to “O’Grady,” and he kept the new name.
Over the weekend, The BBC host shared a photo of his microphone, which he uses in the radio studio, on Instagram. He clarified that it would be his penultimate performance, which would be on Sunday.
The Irish-born BBS host’s parents reared him in Ballincurry, County Roscommon, before relocating to England in 1936 and settling in Birkenhead’s working-class neighborhood.
How Much Is Paul O Grady’s Net Worth In 2022?
According to IdolNetWorth, the famous presenter is worth a whopping $8 million, nearly £5.9 million.
Steve Wright, who earned £450,000 a year, has also lost his longstanding afternoon show.
Sources revealed that ex-Radio one host Scott Mills, 49, will replace the 67-year-old presenter.
The comedian gained experience as a daytime television presenter by standing in for Des O’Connor in nine episodes of ITV’s lunchtime chat show, Today with Des and Mel.
In his personal life, Paul is a massive fan of animals, with several dogs of his own and adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. The animal fan lives in Kent on a massive farm with all his pets.