“This free exhibition will be Paul’s gift to his hometown”

The Paul O’Grady Story Major Retrospective Exhibition from 4th December to late 2027 

A major exhibition delving into the private archive of Paul O’Grady, revealing his life in front of and behind the cameras will open in his hometown of Birkenhead at the end of this year. The Paul O’Grady Story will be a free exhibition at Williamson Art Gallery and will open on 4 December 2026. 

The exhibition, featuring a wider community and participation programme, will give a first glimpse into the extensive archive of Paul, contextualising him as an LGBTQIA+ icon, an award-winning broadcaster, passionate activist and someone who gave a voice to the voiceless, particularly those with four paws. From Tranmere to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, the “blonde bombsite of Birkenhead” to Battersea Dog’s Home, the exhibition will present Paul O’Grady is one of Britain’s most cherished, and significant cultural figures.

Supported by a grant of £241,484 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wirral Council has collaborated with Andre Portasio as Creative Consultant in association with Joan Marshrons, alongside arts organisations Switchflicker and DuoVision.

Birkenhead is at the heart of Paul O’Grady’s story, whether it is the acid tongue of Lily Savage, the humour and activism of Paul as a presenter and entertainer, the determination to stand up for a cause and the working-class identity at his core. Premiering the exhibition in the town has been the central ambition of the curatorial team, and The Paul O’Grady Estate with a commitment to keeping access free. 

Quotes

Andre Portasio:  “I will forever be in debt to Wirral Council, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Switchflicker and all the supporters who have made it possible for me to bring the boy from Birkenhead back to his hometown. This exhibition showcases a variety of objects and costumes that mark his incredible career, life, and legacy. I am delighted the exhibition will be free for everyone in the UK and beyond to enjoy and celebrate his journey. It is my heartfelt wish that those who visit will feel the warmth of his spirit and remember the joy he brought to so many.”

Paula Basnett, Wirral Council:
“It is incredibly special to be welcoming Paul O’Grady home to Birkenhead in this way. Paul never forgot where he came from, and neither have we. To host this exhibition is a proud moment for our borough and a tribute to a man whose humour, courage and compassion touched millions. We are deeply grateful to Andre Portasio and our creative partners for helping us share Paul’s story with warmth, honesty and pride and to ensure it remains free and open to everyone.”

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund: “We’re thrilled to be supporting the exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Paul O’Grady in his hometown of Birkenhead, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. The exhibition and wider project from Switchflicker will shine a light on LGBTQ+ heritage and Paul O’Gradys’ remarkable role in bringing that to the fore during his varied career.”

Jayne Compton, Executive Producer at Switchflicker: 
“Switchflicker is privileged to produce this project, Paul O’Grady didn’t just inhabit a character; he channelled the defiant spirit of a community. This exhibition unmasks the artistry and journey from radical drag performer to becoming a national treasure.”   

James Lawler, Curator at DuoVision: 
“We’re excited to be given this opportunity to focus on the life and work of trailblazing artist Paul O’Grady. I had the pleasure of working with Paul in the 1980s, and it’s great to now have the chance to celebrate this unique character, his amazing talent and achievements.”  

Early Years

Paul James O’Grady was born to Molly and Paddy on 14 June 1955 in Birkenhead and was brought up in a close-knit Irish Catholic household in Tranmere. The youngest of three children, he first attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Prenton and then St. Anselm’s College in Birkenhead, which was founded by the Christian Brothers.  After leaving school Paul worked in a variety of jobs including being a clerk in the Magistrates Courts and a care worker in a Children’s Convalescent Home in West Kirby.

Crossover into mainstream
Set against the turbulent social and political landscape of 1980s Britain, the exhibition charts the rise of Lily Savage within the context of Section 28 and widespread homophobia. Lily Savage emerged as a defiant response to the era’s unrest, channelling working-class resilience into high-glamour, razor-sharp satire.

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act, the exhibition places Paul O’Grady at the vanguard of LGBTQIA+ visibility. It maps the moment queer culture crossed over from the pub and club underground into the collective heart of the British public, forever altering the national cultural fabric. 

Lily’s television career included hosting “The Lily Savage Show” (BBC); “Lily Live” (ITV); and “Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank”. After resting Lily, Paul O’Grady’s career flourished in many directions from the BAFTA award-winning “The Paul O’Grady Show”, “Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs” and “Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes” to name but a few. He also had a definitive decade-long residency on BBC Radio 2, making him one of the most significant cultural figures of his generation.

He has written four volumes of his autobiography and in 2017 “Paul O’Grady’s Country Life” was published.  Paul’s children’s books about Eddie Albert focus on a boy who lives with his dad after his mum has died and who finds he has the ability to talk to animals.  They are his friends and they have adventures together which include rescuing a baby orangutan from a cruel owner.  Paul wanted his books to encourage children to be kind to animals as well as wanting to support children who are bullied in school or who feel they don’t fit in.

Despite all his success which undoubtedly changed his life he remained passionate about speaking out when he considered people were being treated unjustly and in his TV series about the Working Class and “The Sally Army and Me” he wanted to highlight the day to day struggles of ordinary people and show the hard work that goes on often unnoticed by the powers that be.

The Archive: Craft, Costume, and Character

For the first time, the public is invited to engage with the meticulous craft behind the persona. The exhibition brings together a unique selection of items from Paul O’Grady’s archive:

• Iconic Wardrobe: Original Lily Savage and pantomime costumes that defined an era of British drag.
• Media: Rare footage, scripts, photography, and oral histories documenting LGBTQIA+ activism and working-class life and entertainment.
• Private World: An intimate look at Paul’s personal eclectic collection of objects, figurines, and puppets, revealing the influences that shaped his creative psyche.

A Living Heritage

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this exhibition will spread from behind the gallery walls to document Paul’s legacy and the lived experience of his peers and community. Through a series of oral history sessions, the exhibition documents the lived experiences of the local LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring Paul O’Grady’s legacy is intertwined with the heritage of the Northwest and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The exhibition will be accompanied by a year-long public programme of Talking Heads, music, performance and cabaret to inspire and platform the next generation of queer talent alongside reading clubs of Paul O’Grady children’s books in libraries across the Wirral. Further details are set to be announced soon.