Lenny Henry

Lenny Henry has experienced the marginalised and often-forgotten role of people of colour throughout his lengthy career. In this series, he examines Britain's history of multicultural comedy, beginning with sitcoms. Taking aim at Spike Milligan's deeply offensive 1969 blackface show Curry & Chips, Henry goes on to show how representation slowly increased to include his own show The Fosters before ending with Michaela Coel's recent hit, Chewing Gum.

Lenny Henry's Race Through Comedy review

Despite a small handful of high-profile exceptions, black and Asian characters tend to be under-represented in TV comedy. But this fascinating new series demonstrates just how far we've come in a generation, while also giving an insight into Britain's social history as reflected through the screen.

Lenny Henry interview

I wish I'd stood up to racism more, says Sir Lenny Henry.

Who Am I Again? by Lenny Henry review

The comic reflects on prejudice, being a 'political football' and his suspicion he's neither black enough nor manly enough.

Lenny Henry: I do wish I had stood up to racism more

As his memoir is published, Sir Lenny Henry talks to Hannah Stephenson about racism, the pressures of fame, and his fears for today's young wannabes.

Who Am I, Again? extract

Today he's one of Britain's biggest comics, but here Lenny Henry reveals how he used to get really upset when Tiswas host Chris Tarrant criticised his jokes.

Lenny Henry: My abusive childhood and secret father

"It was the right time to tell this story, better than people rooting around in my family history."

Lenny Henry calls for diversity schemes & initiatives

Sir Lenny Henry calls for a different approach to diversity in the television industry in his speech at the RTS Cambridge Convention 2019.

Extract: Who Am I, Again? by Lenny Henry

Haunting. Unflinching. Profoundly shocking. Yet all told with the warmth and humour that's made him one of Britain's best-loved comedians. In an enthralling new autobiography, Sir Lenny Henry reveals how growing up as a black boy in 1970s Dudley was no laughing matter.

'I am Justin Trudeau', jokes Sir Lenny Henry

Sir Lenny Henry has been having a laugh at the expense of the Canadian prime minister by telling an audience: "I am Justin Trudeau."