Comedian and social activist Lenny Henry, soon to be Sir Lenny Henry is set to be Knighted by the Queen as part of her birthday honours.
The news of Henry’s impending accolade was leaked ahead of the official announcement and the popular actor has reportedly said that he is ‘chuffed’ by the news.
“It’s not something you think about really when you grow up in Dudley,” he told BBC Radio 2. “But it’s a fantastic thing.”
“I’m being pummelled from all sides by my family, saying, ‘Do we get some land? Do we get a castle now? Do we get 100 men in plate armour following us around Dudley?’
“I’m very pleased. And my mum would have loved it.
“It is a wonderful thing and my family are really, really chuffed. My friends have not stopped ringing up and saying congratulations. It is an extraordinary thing and I’m very chuffed.”
Born in Dudley to Jamaican parents, the comedian and actor is well known for his stand up comedy as well as his acting roles in a range of well known British Sit-coms, has over recent years spoken out against the lack of diversity in the British television, and has been a massive vehicle of change in the industry, which he has been working in for over 30 years.
We take a look at some Henry’s best TV moments.
Henry made his first TV debut in 1975, when he found fame on British Talent show New Faces (think Britain’s Got Talent 40 years ago). He went on to win the show and from there his career took off.
The following year, Henry landed a leaded role in family sit-com The Fosters (1976). The show, which aired on ITV for one year, was Britain’s first all-black sit com and was adapted from the American show Good Times. Henry starred as lanky smart-mouthed teenager Sonny, alongside Norman Beaton, Isabelle Lucas, Carmen Monro, Sharon Rosita and Lawrie Mark. The show ran for two years.
Henry continued to develop his comedic style on Saturday morning children’s show TISWAS (Today Is Saturday, Watch And Smile) between 1978 and 1981. He became known for his humorous impressions of famous celebrities.
Henry is perhaps best known for starring in his own show, The Lenny Henry Show, a comedy sketch show that ran in various incarnations between 1987 and 2005. His funny sketches and intermittent stand up struck a chord with the British Audience.
Henry is also well known for his charity work, and since 1988 years has taken part in BBC’s Comic Relief charity show Children In Need. Henry has taken several trips to Africa on behalf of the charity and in 2011, he helped 5 orphaned children living in the slums but a small house in Kenya.
In 2009 the comedian made his transition both from television to stage and from comedy to tragedy when he starred in a production of Shakespeare’s Othello, in the title row. While many were concerned over Henry being cast in the role, overall he was praised for his performance as Shakespeare’s tragic black hero.
