The late Paul O'Grady sent a heartwarming tribute to the family of a mum-of-ten who he called the "one and only Lily Savage".
Today, tributes were paid to comedian and TV personality Paul O'Grady who died aged 67. Paul first rose to prominence as his drag queen persona Lily Savage in the 1980s and 1990s, before going on to host a string of television programmes.
But back in 1994, Paul O'Grady, from Birkenhead, met the "real" Lily Savage - a great-grandmother living in Port Sunlight. BBC researcher Janet McKenna tracked down the 81-year-old down while working on new BBC2 series Life Swap, but the episode is said to have not aired.
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Cameras followed both Lilys around as they swapped lives for the day, seeing the real Lily move into her namesake's home as comedienne Lily played bingo - and had her hair done in Port Sunlight. Lily's granddaughter Lynn Worthington, 66, was there to witness the day with her family including her mum and dad and daughter Amanda, who also got to be on film.
Lynn, who now lives in Stoke-on-Trent, told the ECHO: "The day was the highlight of nan’s life, Paul was wonderful to her. It was a fabulous day, we laughed from start to finish.
"My nan was in her eighties at that point and she’d been contacted by the BBC for this Life Swaps programme. She didn't really believe it was going to happen. First of all the team came and brought this Lily mobile along which was full of tack and we were trying on these high heeled shoes and everything else.
"Then Paul O'Grady came. He got his wig on, but he was in his jeans and t-shirt so we were laughing and having some fun with him. He was telling us some jokes and sort of relaxing my nan. It was the same sort of humour because we were from the same sort of area."
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Lynn said by the end of the day, everyone felt like Paul was "part of the family." She said he introduced himself as one of Lily's "long lost sons" and was "absolutely fabulous" to her nan.
Lynn said: "There was a lot of us there because we were a big family. They asked if Amanda my daughter could be in the filming, she was only 10, so she joined in. Paul put a sign on her stairlift saying ‘white knuckle rides 10 bob’ which Amanda took a ride on and Paul was pottering round the kitchen looking for knitting patterns in the drawer, pretending to be nan.
"It was just hilarious and they were best friends by the end of the day. My nan was originally from Warrington and she was known as 'frying pan Lil, the Warrington wonder.'
"We told him about that so he kept referring to her as 'frying pan Lil' because she had ten children and was always cooking." Whilst filming, Paul also went off in the pensioners bus to bingo singing ‘we’re all going on a summer holiday’ whilst the real Lily Savage went in Paul’s ‘Lily mobile’ which was full of high heels and glitter.
And despite only knowing each other for a short time, Paul sent Lily flowers for her birthday and a kind gesture to the family when she died in January 2003. Lynn said: "We just knew what a wonderful person he was, you can tell that by everything he did on TV.
"He cared about people. He was just a saint really, a lovely, lovely man.
"We went to Blackpool to see his show and then he took us backstage and we had drinks. It was like he was part of the family and none of us have ever forgotten that day, it was very very special.
"He sent flowers for her birthday and when she died we let him know. He sent lilies for "the one and only Lily Savage."
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Since Paul's death was announced, Lynn said the family have been reminiscing about when they met the star and how special he made Lily feel. Lynn said: "We were saying what a fantastic person he was. We feel like we’ve lost a family member, it’s very sad."
In a statement, Paul's partner Andre Portasio, said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
"We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
"I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years." Most recently, Paul O'Grady has been travelling up and down the country to play Miss Hannigan in the touring stage version of Annie."
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