Lenny Henry attacks lack of ethnic diversity on TV

Lenny Henry has attacked British broadcasters during a speech at the Royal Television Society. According to The Guardian, Henry said: "When I started, I was surrounded by a predominantly white workforce. Thirty-two years later... not a lot has changed."

In his speech, he also criticised the use of what he saw as offensive terms, claiming that "words like 'wog', 'Paki' and 'coon' back then, and 'chav' and 'pikey' today, have a profound effect on our communities." He also criticised the lack of ethnic minorities off screen as well saying, "to walk on set and find a black DOP [director of photography] or an Asian boom operator is as rare as seeing John McCririck on the front cover of Vanity Fair."

The stand-up comic went on to complain about broadcasters attending the same venues to find comedy talent. He asked the crowd: "Do they go to the Hackney Empire, or any of the ethnic minority nights put on by Upfront comedy or Harmony productions all over the country? Or do they head down to Jongleurs, the Comedy Store, or up to the Edinburgh festival, the same as they always do?" He also complained about what he saw as the 'ghettoising' of ethnic minorities onto specialist chancels and radio stations.

The speech comes after the BBC has admitted it has failed to reach diversity targets set-up by former director general Greg Dyke, who once called the corporation "hideously white". With a target set at 12.5% (one-eighth of the entire corporation), the total ethnic workforce is currently only 10.6%. Of senior managers, the target was 7%, but a level of only 4.4% has been achieved.

In his speech, Henry also commented on his years during The Black and White Minstrel Show, where he was the only 'real black guy' for four years. He said, "I look at those photos now and I want to shoot everyone involved. Including myself."

Henry is currently hosting Lenny Henry.TV, the next episode of which is on Tuesday 12 February, with Ruby Wax as his guest. He also appeared on Jackanory Junior, which at the time of writing can be re-watched on the BBC iPlayer.