Lenny Henry

Sir Lenworth George Henry, CBE (born 29 August 1958), known as Lenny Henry, is a British stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television presenter, best known for co-founding charity Comic Relief and presenting various television programmes, including The Magicians for BBC One.

Early life

Henry was born in Dudley, West Midlands, on 29 August 1958, the son of Jamaican immigrants. One of seven children, he was the first to be born in the United Kingdom. He attended St. John's Primary School and later The Blue Coat School in Dudley before completing his schooling at W.R. Tuson College in Preston, Lancashire.

Career

Early career

Henry's first manager was Robert Luff, who signed him in 1975 and gave him the opportunity to perform as part of the Luff-produced touring stage version of The Black and White Minstrel Show. In July 2009, Lenny Henry stated he was contractually obliged to perform and regretted his part in the show.

His earliest television appearance was on the New Faces talent show, which he won in 1975 with an impersonation of Stevie Wonder. The following year he appeared with Norman Beaton in LWT's sitcom The Fosters, Britain's first comedy series with predominantly black performers. His formative years were spent in working men's clubs, where he impersonated mainly white characters such as the Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em character Frank Spencer (whom he impersonated on New Faces). He also made guest appearances on television programmes including Celebrity Squares, Seaside Special and The Ronnie Corbett Show.

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Podcasts:

Famous quotes by Lenny Henry:

"I'd stay away from Ecstasy. This is a drug so strong it makes white people think they can dance."
"I've been to Africa many times in the past 20 years, but I can't believe this is the first time since the very first Red Nose Day, that I've been back to Ethiopia. The last time I was here was just after the famine and it was crazy, there were people all over the place, kids without families, aid workers, camera crews."
"See, the thing is, when you do a press day, sometimes you're tired in the morning and you say things at the beginning of the day that you have to spend the rest of the day trying to correct."
"I have done a sketch show almost every year since I started in 1975. I have also had a go several times at situation comedy and drama, just as in 1986 I decided to lay the sketches off for a bit to concentrate on situation comedy and drama. I am NOT giving up comedy. I love doing stand-up comedy and characters."
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PLAYLIST TIME:

What's Your Name

by: Leon Ware

In your eyes I can see the whole world
In your smile I can feel the same thing, too
Is your voice just as real?
Cos I don't know your name. Well...
It seems like I've known you always
Even though, hasn't it one full day?
I'm surprised that I feel this
cos I don't know your name. Well...
What's your name? Does it really matter?
Will your name make me love you more than I do?
They have found me in you. Who are you? Tell me...
There's no plan that could say how we'd meet
I can tell cos I swept you off your feet
I don't know if you're ready
cos I don't know your name
Should I say what I got on my mind?
I would swear I will know you a long time
Maybe this is the moment.
I don't know your name. Well...
I wanna know your name. What's your name?
Time is right. Please don't fight. You will get to know me.
Face the reason while we're here. So don't be afraid.




Latest News for: lenny henry

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Comic Relief founders Lenny Henry and Richard Curtis named Carnegie honourees

Belfast Telegraph 24 Mar 2025
Comic Relief co-founders ...
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Red Nose Day tops £34 million raised for Comic Relief

AOL 22 Mar 2025
Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry, who hosted his final Red Nose Day last year after almost four decades at the helm, reflected on the charity’s 40th anniversary ... After reviewing the highlights, Sir Lenny added.
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Comic Relief raises millions less than last year... despite star-studded show that saw Davina McCall ...

The Daily Mail 22 Mar 2025
... Laurie, Lenny Henry, and Dawn French. The idea of Red Nose Day was thought up in 1985 by Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry in response to the famine in Ethiopia (Sir Lenny Henry is pictured in 1989).
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British public give big to help raise £34,022,590 for Red Nose Day 2025

Music News 22 Mar 2025
Coinciding with the charity’s 40th birthday, the 12-epsiode series sees stars including the likes of Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry, Nish Kumar, Gabrielle, Jordan North and more, plan their ...
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Sir Lenny Henry looks back at 40 years of Comic Relief during Red Nose Day

Irish Independent 21 Mar 2025
Comic Relief co-founder ...
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Lenny Henry looks back at 40 years of Comic Relief during Red Nose Day

RTE 21 Mar 2025
Comic Relief co-founder Lenny Henry reflected on the charity's 40th anniversary during Friday night’s Red Nose Day ... After reviewing the highlights, Henry added ... Henry co-founded the charity with Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis in 1985. Source.
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Comic Relief fans rage 'no wonder our TV license is so high!' as they slam ...

The Daily Mail 21 Mar 2025
'It shows how far #ComicRelief has sunk even Lenny Henry has abandoned it'; ... 'It shows how far #ComicRelief has sunk even Lenny Henry has abandoned it'; 'I never thought I'd miss Lenny Henry and Ben Elton but they were better than that lot';.
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Where is Lenny Henry on Comic Relief? His replacement and sad reason for quitting

The Mirror 21 Mar 2025
Comic Relief airs tonight at 7PM on BBC One however one key member of the night's host is missing! Sir Lenny Henry has left the live show for a sad reason but is on to new things! ... .
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Lenny Henry returns to Comic Relief to share desperate plea with British public

The Mirror 21 Mar 2025
Comedian Sir Lenny Henry has reflected on four decades of Comic Relief as the beloved charity event celebrates Red Nose Day today ... .
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Red Nose Day total reaches £32m during Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary

AOL 21 Mar 2025
Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry, who hosted his final Red Nose Day last year after almost four decades at the helm, reflected on the charity’s 40th anniversary ... After reviewing the highlights, Sir Lenny added.
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BBC Comic Relief viewers say 'welcome back' after surprise return

Manchester Evening News 21 Mar 2025
Viewers were happy to see Sir Lenny Henry show up briefly for the 40th celebration ... .
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Red Nose Day hosts reveal current total stands at �17.5m

London Evening Standard 21 Mar 2025
Comic Relief was co-founded by Sir Lenny Henry and Love Actually screenwriter Richard Curtis in 1985 ... .
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Red Nose Day hosts reveal current total stands at £17.5m

AOL 21 Mar 2025
Also on the show, Rock Choir performed Somewhere Only We Know by rock band Keane. Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry, who hosted his final Red Nose Day last year after almost four decades at the helm, reflected on the charity’s 40th anniversary ... .
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Red Nose Day total reaches £32 million during Comic Relief’s 40th anniversary

AOL 21 Mar 2025
View this post on Instagram. A post shared by BBC iPlayer (@bbciplayer) ... Comic Relief co-founder Sir Lenny Henry, who hosted his final Red Nose Day last year after almost four decades at the helm, reflected on the charity’s 40th anniversary ... .
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Lenny Henry's real name, truth behind Dawn French split and life since Comic Relief

The Mirror 21 Mar 2025
Lenry Henry is a household name thanks to his work in comedy - but here's a look at his personal life from his real name to the reason behind his split from fellow comedian ex-wife Dawn French ... .

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