Paul O’Grady has landed a new role, after leaving BBC Radio 2, as a deputy lieutenant of Kent.
The 67-year-old broadcaster has been appointed to carry out his new ceremonial duties in the south-eastern county just three months after his departure from the Sunday afternoon show he hosted for nearly 14 years.
In his leaving statement, O'Grady spoke of how much he would miss his listeners but he felt that "now is the right time to go”.
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O'Grady, who has lived in Kent for 21 years, is one of seven new appointees to the role, which supports the lord-lieutenant, the King's representative in the county.
He rose to fame as a drag artist, portraying the character Lily Savage, and has since become well-known for supporting a number of animal charities.
A Kent County Council spokesman said: “Broadcaster, writer, comedian, actor and Kent champion Paul O’Grady MBE joins six deputy lieutenants whose combined varied local and specialist knowledge and experience will be utilised in duties supporting the Lord Lieutenant of Kent and the Crown.
“These include greeting and accompanying royalty and heads of state during official visits to the county, the presentation of honours and awards, participation in citizenship ceremonies, offering advice during the organisation of events and helping community groups raise awareness of and gain recognition for their work.”
The spokesman added that O’Grady had filmed an ITV series in 2020 about the county and written a book about what it is like to live there.
The lieutenancy of Kent dates back to Tudor times and includes up to 70 deputy lieutenants who come from all walks of life and advise the council on areas from education to business.
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