After a row with ITV bosses over their refusal to allow him to use their studios, Paul O’Grady (AKA Lily Savage)has now cancelled any work he was due to do for the station. The roles included appearing as a celebrity judge on Simon Cowells new talent show ‘The Gong Show’ and presenting the Soap Awards later this year.

The row occured when Paul O’Grady announced he was moving his hit chat show from ITV to Channel Four and although ITV regularly rent out their London Studio to other TV stations they have denied Paul the use of both it and its camera crew.

Paul, 46, said: “I’m not working for these petty tyrants anymore. The ban is pure spite.

“I’ve told them I won’t be doing the Soap Awards or Simon’s show. I will lose money but I would rather be sweeping the streets than working for ITV.”

Paul wanted to continue recording his show at The London Studio because he liked the camera crew. He said: “It’s ridiculous. Anyone can rent a studio there. They make BBC, Channel 4 and ITV shows. At first there was no problem, now they’ve changed their minds.”

I really admire Paul for sticking to his principles, but in the end they will fill his shoes and it will be him who loses out. To be honest in his place I think I would have found another studio!