Former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK champion Danny Beard has been unveiled as the lead in a new play about the late Paul O’Grady.

On Monday morning, it was announced that Danny would be starring as Paul in Savage, named after the late TV personality’s drag alter-ego, Lily Savage.

The play was penned by screenwriter and playwright Jonathan Harvey, whose biggest credits have included Beautiful To Heaven, Closer To Heaven and the award-winning TV comedy Gimme Gimme Gimme.

Jonathan had briefly worked with Paul on the play, prior to the Bafta winner’s death in 2023 at the age of 67.

Paul had previously said of the project: “I’m delighted Jonathan has agreed to write the script, I really am, as he’s perfect for this and he’s such a great writer.”

An official synopsis teases: “The show follows Paul’s journey from the streets of Merseyside to the heart of London’s club scene, where, armed with little more than his wits and a wig, he began carving out a place for himself.

“From humble roots and an unassuming start emerged Lily Savage: the fearless, foul-mouthed alter ego who would defy convention and win the hearts of millions.”

Speaking in a promotional video, recorded at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, where Paul previously performed as Lily, Danny called the role a “dream come true”.

Jonathan enthused: “I was so thrilled when Paul gave me the opportunity to turn his life story into a stage show. I first saw Lily in a scuzzy gay bar in West London in the late 80s and laughed ’til I hurt, so it’s an honour indeed to bring his story and the colourful escapades of the blonde bombsite herself to life.

“This is one of those few shows that I’m involved in where I can go ‘You need to come. It’s really good’… because the zinging one-liners are all his.”

“It’s so sad he’s not here to see it, but hopefully this will be a fitting testament to everything he achieved, and a cracking night out full of humour and heart,” he added.

Savage will premiere at Leicester’s Curve theatre in February 2027, before touring the UK and arriving in London’s West End.