Honorary degree for Paul O'Grady

by Tony McConville. Published Mon 12 Jul 2010 09:52

There will be no blonde wig in evidence when Paul O'Grady receives an honorary degree from a university where he once performed as Lily Savage.

The Birkenheed-born presenter will be installed as a Doctor of Arts at De Montfort University in Leicester later this month, in recognituion of his achievements on stage, radio and TV.

When Paul, 55, collects the award at De Montfort Hall on July 23, he will be returning to a stage where he last sported a frock as his drag queen alter ego.

Said Paul: "It really is a great honour and it is so nice to be recognised in this way.

"The last time I walked across the De Montfort Hall stage in Leicester it was as Lily Savage in front of an audience of ne'er-do-wells.

"Now I shall be up there being made a Doctor of Arts in front of an audience of academics. How times have changed, eh? I am absolutely chuffed to bits and delighted to be receiving a degree."

Media entrepreneur Lord Waheed Alli, chancellor of De Montfort University, said: "The university is delighted to honour Paul O'Grady in this way. His contribution to television, radio and the stage has been truly outstanding, earning him many prestigious awards along the way.

"His hard work and wonderful talent has seen him transformed from a cult favourite performing in clubs and pubs to a household name watched and loved by millions.

"Paul is undoubtedly someone our graduates can look to as an inspiration as they prepare to leave university and enter the world of work."

O'Grady's claims to fame also include his multi-award winning Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4, as well as his Sunday afternoon show on Radio 2.