O'Grady pens autobiography

Lily Savage creator Paul O'Grady has begun work on his autobiography.

It is likely to focus on the comic's battle with depression and his early career as a social worker.

O'Grady, who had a heart attack less than two weeks ago, said: "It's a strange process but it has also taught me that at times I can be my own worst enemy. I am too hard on myself and I think I have softened as I have been writing the book."

He also told Ananova: "I'm not a morning person at the best of times but this miserable feeling would just not go away. I would go on stage as Lily and be my usual vitriolic self but as soon as I'd come off my mood would change and I would fall silent.

"I was determined not to be one of those people who ended up going for counselling. I wanted to sort it out for myself.

"I decided to be tough. I would tell myself off when I woke up in the morning. I did a lot of exercise and just came to realise I had everything I wanted in life.

"Then I just woke up one morning and it had all gone as quickly as it came. I realised the depression was the result of overwork and pushing myself too much."

Published: 27 Apr 2002