At My Mother's Knee...And Other Low Joints: Tales from Paul’s mischievous young years

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I really want to dig out my copy if I still have it somewhere to re-read after the news yesterday of his untimely passing! For those of a somewhat nervous disposition, like myself, I can safely say that reading these books will be an education in themselves and make anyones problems look smaller in comparison. I have always felt different and alien to this world before I even knew of these labels, before I knew they applied to myself and how I identify. In his own uniquely acid tongue, Paul O'Grady traces the hilarious tales of life in Irish Catholic Birkenhead that took him from a virtuous altar-boy ("my first drag") to Britain's best loved entertainer.

By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. He also appeared in the comedy sitcom Eyes Down (2003–2004) and presented several travel documentaries. Likeable and occasionally entertaining though Mr O'Grady might be - this book is certainly not 'hilarious' and ultimately just. What I received was an interesting and not surprising amusing tale of Paul's early life growing up in Birkenhead that was certainly light entertainment.It was whilst living in London in 1978 that he first turned his hand to drag, developing the character of Lily Savage based upon various female relatives of his. 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). Lily later became a regular on This Morning, took over the bed on The Big Breakfast and presented Blankety Blank.

I enjoyed this first instalment of his life story, it's written in an almost conversational, rambling style with the author going off at lots of interesting tangents.He has mixed with stars and whores and all that's in between, slyly spotting the similarity between them all.