Lenny Henry

Video: Lenny Henry on National Theatre debut

Lenny Henry is one of Britain's best known comedians, but he changed direction two years ago by taking on the role of Othello - to huge acclaim.

The star talks to BBC Breakfast about his role in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors at the National Theatre and his one-off TV comedy special - which will be shown this Christmas.

Audio: Lenny Henry on "The Comedy of Errors"

Lenny Henry is one of Britain's best known comedians, but two years ago, at the age of 51, he took everyone by surprise by making his stage acting debut, playing Othello, and then going on to win the Evening Standard outstanding newcomer award.

Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones reports from the National Theatre where the comedian is now tackling Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors.

Dawn French loving life after divorcing Lenny Henry

Looking out at the stunning St Catherine's Castle, Dawn French sat behind her desk in her sunny office on the Cornish coast and reflected on the phone call she'd just ended.

Lenny Henry leaves The Magicians to do Shakespeare

Lenny Henry has pulled out of the BBC's TV hit The Magicians after a series to concentrate on Shakespeare.

Dawn French is dating again and open to marrying again

Comedian Dawn French has revealed her lovelife is back on track after her heartbreaking marriage break-up from Lenny Henry.

French took months to decide over Henry split

Dawn French spent months deliberating over whether she should end her marriage to Lenny Henry as they battled to salvage the relationship.

Interview: Lenny Henry, comedian

He may be on 65-date tour that revisits his musical roots, studying for a PhD and preparing to play Shakespeare again, but that's just Lenny Henry finally chilling out...

Lenny Henry pens his first play

Lenny Henry, the comedian and actor, is to make his debut as a playwright with a new work about the problems facing Caribbean immigrants returning to their homeland.

Lenny Henry's stammer joke is blasted

A charity for stammer sufferers yesterday hit out at a "deplorable" Comic Relief sketch.

Audio: Curtis sorry over Comic Relief stammer sketch

Richard Curtis, one of the founders of Comic Relief, apologises for any offence caused by a Lenny Henry sketch which joked about stammering.

Referring to the skit, which was based around Colin Firth's performance in the movie The King's Speech, Curtis tells BBC Radio 5 Live: "I would apologise for that."

"It was meant to be a big joke about a very famous film," the comedy writer tells Nicky Campbell on 5 Live Breakfast. "I am sorry."