Entertainer O'Grady collects MBE

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Chat show host Paul O'Grady has collected am MBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

The star, who also became famous with his character Lily Savage, said his top hat and tails were "a long way" from his bawdy female alter ego.

The 53-year-old revealed he was on his best behaviour, but had been tempted to tell the prince how "moreish" his Duchy ginger biscuits are.

O'Grady said he thought the honour was initially a joke played by friends.

"Then they rang me up and said 'Are you coming or not?' They said I had been a hugely popular choice so that was nice," he added.

'Undignified'

O'Grady, who worked as a social worker before finding fame, said he would have "killed himself laughing" 25 years ago if he had been told he would collect an MBE.

"Now I'm part of the establishment - The Archers, The Daily Mail. I'll have to start moaning and writing letters signed Disgusted of Kent," joked the star.

Channel 4's teatime talk show host also revealed that the last time he had met the Prince of Wales was in 2004, dressed in full Lily Savage costume when he appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on the West End stage.

The entertainer decided to drop Lily Savage in 2004 after declaring it was "undignified to go round in mini skirts all your life".

O'Grady celebrated his honour at The Ritz with his sister, daughter and partner.