At My Mother's Knee ... [Hardcover]

Paul O'Grady, apart from being one of Britain's best loved entertainers, is a classic example of reinvention, as At My Mother’s Knee demonstrates. The young Liverpool entertainer, an altar boy from Irish Catholic Birkenhead, becomes the acid-tongued and outrageous drag queen Lily Savage, and moves from gay pubs to national television, creating something of a British comic institution en route (O'Grady's caustic drag character was a world away from safer predecessors such as Danny La Rue). But O'Grady (like other comic performers such as John Cleese) realised that comic creations can have a limited shelf life, and reinvented himself as ‘Paul O'Grady’, coming out from behind the false breasts and towering wigs as a toned-down (but still camp), more audience-friendly TV presenter (wisely, he retained the abrasive voice and a Scouse accent that could be cut with a knife).

At My Mother's Knee and Other Low Joints is an entertaining autobiography from someone who really does have a life that is worth writing about. Gossipy, sharp and colourful, the cast of characters in Paul O'Grady's life includes rogues and rascals galore, all of whom are evoked here with great comic skill. O'Grady was variously a boxer, a civil servant, a conman and even a cat burglar - all of these failed careers are on display here, as is a surprisingly pungent picture of the Liverpool nightclub scene. When so many showbiz autobiographies these days are written by people who have a barely had a life outside of their fame, it's refreshing to encounter one by somebody whose story would be interesting even if he were not a major TV star. --Barry Forshaw

Paul speaks with warmth and hilarity about a childhood filled with poverty, and reveals a cast of characters with whom he could have created an entire comedy series. Hugely interesting and entertaining. --Jo Hoare, Heat Magazine

At My Mother's Knee distinguishes itself on every level --Carol Ann Duffy, The Observer

While most celeb memoirs are as memorable as an air kiss, O'Grady's is a proper snog --The Scotsman

At My Mother's Knee distinguishes itself on every level

While most celeb memoirs are as memorable as an air kiss, O'Grady's is a proper snog

Warmly funny, dry and mischievous... Genuine - and brilliant.

One of the most brilliantly observed testimonies to working-class life I've ever read.

Paul O’Grady is one of Britain’s very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by millions, whether as the creator of the acid-tongued Blonde Bombsite, Lily Savage, or the presenter of the fantastically successful, award-winning Paul O’Grady Show on Channel 4. Now, in his own unique voice, Paul O’Grady tells story of his early life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead that started him on the long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It is a brilliantly evoked, hilarious and often moving tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep, populated by larger-than-life characters with hearts of gold and tongues as sharp as razors. At My Mother’s Knee features an unforgettable cast of rogues, rascals, lovers, fighters, saints and sinners - and one iconic bus conductress. It’s a book which really does have something for everyone and which reminds us that, when all’s said and done, there’s a bit of savage in all of us

This is the real McCoy - the first time Paul has told his own story in his own words. Accept no cheap imitations!
Paul has written every word of this book himself rather than using a ghostwriter, and it shows. His book is an absolute stunner - funny, touching and brilliantly evocative of his years growing up and the larger than life characters he meets along the way. It's by a long chalk the most authentic and heartfelt autobiography I've read in a very long time.

Paul O'Grady is one of Britain's very best loved entertainers. He is known and adored by millions as the creator of the acid-tongued Blonde Bombsite, Lily Savage and the presenter of the fantastically successful, award-winning Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4.

Now, in his own unique voice, Paul tells the story of his early life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead and his first steps on the long and winding road from mischievous altar boy to national treasure. It is a hilarious tale of gossip in the back yard, bragging in the corner shop and slanging matches on the front doorstep, populated by larger-than-life characters with hearts of gold and tongues as sharp as razors. Meet Paul in some of his earliest roles as boxer, civil servant, barman, cat-burglar and enthusiastic denizen of Liverpool's nightclub scene.

At My Mother's Knee is a book which really does contain something for everyone and which reminds us that, when all's said and done, there's a bit of savage in all of us...

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Paul O'Grady first came to fame in the guise of Lily Savage, and was nominated for a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1991. Lily later became a regular on This Morning, took over the bed on The Big Breakfast and presented Blankety Blank, but has now retired. Paul, of course, currently presents The New Paul O’Grady Show on Channel 4.