Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank to air on BBC One

A classic episode of Blankety Blank will be broadcast in memory of the presenter and comedian who died on Tuesday.

In a change to the advertised programme, BBC One will be broadcasting a classic episode of Blankety Blank this weekend in memory of presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady. In this classic episode of the game show, with Paul O’Grady as Lily Savage, the guests are Rebecca Callard, Sophie Lawrence, Davina McCall, Sir Ian McKellen, Gray O’Brien and Dale Winton.

Blankety Blank arrived on BBC One back in 1979 with Sir Terry Wogan as host, followed by Les Dawson. After a break the series was revived with Lily Savage as host in 1997. When Paul O’Grady signed up to host several shows with ITV, Blankety Blank went with him, airing until 2003.

BBC One: Lily Savage hosts Blankety Blank

Lily on the ITV version of Blankety Blank, which is repeating on Challenge currently

There are also several radio tributes to Paul with BBC Sounds hosting three special editions of his Sunday evening Radio 2 show. You can listen again to his Crossroads special marking the 50th anniversary of the soap alongside Jane Rossington, Tony Adams and Susan Hanson as well as two TV Theme specials. These will also be repeated around Easter on BBC Radio 2.

Boom Radio has also confirmed that in the slot Paul was due to host his Easter special they will now instead replay his Christmas Special from 2022, the final radio programme O’Grady presented with a special introduction recorded by producer Malcolm Prince.

Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank will be broadcast on Saturday 1 April 2023 at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

BBC Radio 2 have paid tribute with three specials, while Boom Radio will replay his last radio show on Easter Sunday