British Comedy Guide
The Lenny Henry Show. Image shows from L to R: Winston (Vas Blackwood), Delbert Wilkins (Lenny Henry). Copyright: BBC
The Lenny Henry Show

The Lenny Henry Show (1987)

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One
  • 1987 - 1988
  • 12 episodes (2 series)

Sitcom spin-off from Lenny Henry's sketch show of the same title, featuring pirate radio DJ Delbert Wilkins trying to find fame. Also features Vas Blackwood, Ellen Thomas, Michael Mears, Gina McKee, Naim Khan and more.

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The Lenny Henry Show. Delbert Wilkins (Lenny Henry). Copyright: BBC

Key details

Genre
Sitcom
Broadcast
1987 - 1988
Channel
BBC 1
Episodes
12 (2 series)
Stars
Lenny Henry, Vas Blackwood, Ellen Thomas, Michael Mears, Gina McKee, Naim Khan, Malcolm Rennie, Pip Torrens and more
Writers
Stan Hey, Andrew Nickolds and Kim Fuller
Director
Geoff Posner
Producer
Geoff Posner
Company

Delbert Wilkins is a self-styled, self-appointed fashion icon and south London superstar, famed for his popular show on a pirate radio station run from the back room of a grotty Brixton café.

With ideas of stardom far above his station and a seemingly unquenchable desire to entertain and be the centre of attention, Delbert is assisted by friend and dogsbody Winston; tolerated by waitress Julie; and the key cause of café owner Alex's exasperations. Not to mention those of his mother Rose and girlfriend, Claudette.

Although the station is popular amongst the local community and Delbert certainly has a listener base, his idea of his own fame and influence is vastly inflated. And it's not as if his ego's not big enough already! Forever on the gang's tail is local police sergeant Lillie - he knows exactly who's running the pirate station and the presenters don't exactly hide their identities, but he can never seem to catch a broadcast actually taking place.

Eventually Alex gets the opportunity to turn the station legitimate, and Delbert the chance at a TV career. But when the latter goes very quickly south, Delbert ends up at odds with both his old boss and with Winston, now presenting his own deathly-dreary daily 3-hour programme. Despite facing various pressures of growing up, Delbert won't be stopped in getting back on the air...

Additional details

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Tuesday 27th October 1987 at 8:30pm on BBC One
Most recent repeats

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