Paul O’Grady – Not The Same Without You: The Man. the Magic. the Friendship.

"Never-before-heard stories of the much-missed national treasure." Daily Express He was a campaigner, a political advocate, and a trailblazer. But most of all, he was a friend. And I’d like to share that person with you. It’s more than two years since the much-loved entertainer, broadcaster and national treasure Paul O’Grady died, and yet his voice still echoes — in laughter, in memory, in the unshakeable affection of millions. In this deeply personal and revealing biography, Paul’s longtime collaborator Malcolm Prince draws on two decades of friendship — and hours of private recordings — to tell the story of the man behind the icon: the sharp-witted, fiercely loyal, irrepressibly funny, and deeply private individual, known to his close friends as ‘Savage’ — and to the public, in various guises, as the prime time TV star, the nation’s dog-loving agony uncle, and a Sunday afternoon radio companion. Malcolm revisits the stages Paul made his own, from the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to the London Palladium; the moments that shaped him; and draws on brand-new interviews with the people who knew him best, including his daughter and grandchildren. This is a portrait not just of a gifted entertainer, but of a complex, fiercely loyal, and endlessly curious man, reflecting on a friendship built on shared laughter, private rants, righteous fury, long phone calls, and a healthy dose of gossip — and on a professional legacy that still feels astonishing in its range and resonance. Packed with warmth, humour and never-before-heard stories, NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU captures the full measure of a man who defied convention, challenged institutions, made mischief — and made us all feel like we were his best pal.

About the Author :
For twenty years, Malcolm Prince was Paul O’Grady’s radio producer at the BBC where they worked together on feature documentaries, seasonal specials, and Paul’s popular Sunday afternoon Radio 2 show, which ran for fourteen years. He was the launch producer of Elaine Paige on Sunday, Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes’ Saturday Escape, and for a decade, he produced Graham Norton’s hugely successful Saturday morning programme (all Radio 2). His landmark series have included a history of British television with Michael Grade, David Puttnam’s Century of Cinema, and an eight-part celebration of musical theatre hosted by Julia McKenzie and Siân Phillips. He left the BBC in 2022. He contributed to ITV’s For The Love of Paul O’Grady in 2023, and Channel 4’s ABBA: 50 Years of Pop in 2024. He lives in Kent and continues to produce occasional programmes for Boom Radio.

Review :
“A unique insight into the life of a true British icon.” – Graham Norton "Such a lovely book! Just about every page, you're saying 'Oh, I didn't know that!' It's a fantastic read and an amazing present." Lorraine “Fascinating. The definitive account of Paul and Malcolm’s radio partnership. It made me love Paul even more.” – Alan Carr “This is honest, hilarious and heartfelt.” – Jodie Prenger “Loved it. A compelling tribute to the gleefully unconstrained emperor of laughs. Moving, personal and funny memories of the sadly missed comedy genius. Gets to the essence of the incomparable wit and meteoric rise of one this country’s favourite comedy icons.“ – Jo Brand "Comforting, honest, affectionate…if you loved Paul O’Grady then you will love this book." Julian Clary "This book continues and completes the amazing story of my father. Such a revealing read. I can hear my dad on every page.”- Sharyn Mousley "Extraordinary new book…sheds new light on the start with gripping new testimony from his friends [and] family" – Daily Mirror "Prince paints an affectionate, funny, and heartfelt portrait of an extraordinary life and enduring friendship that changed them both" – A Delia Online Book of the Month "Fascinating new book" Sunday Mirror "Hilarious and shocking revelations about his life that have never before been heard…a gripping and laugh-out-loud read" Daily Star Sunday "A treasure trove of anecdotes and memories, all drawn from Malcolm’s extensive collection of private recordings and interviews with the people who knew Paul best. It tells never-before-heard stories of the much-missed national treasure" Daily Express "There was nothing like hearing Paul in full flow and rage telling a story, nothing was left our and we would roar laughing. This book has got so many of those stories within it. He really was a one off.' – Carol Vorderman "An emotional read." – My Weekly