Lenny Henry Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

A special Red Nose Day 2024 show was broadcast live from Media City on Friday night (March 15).

EXCLUSIVE: Idris and Sabrina Elba have set Halfway, a sci-fi thriller podcast at Audible with Lenny Henry, George Mackay, and Sex Education alum Patricia Allison as voice cast leads. 

One week on since Lenny Henry officially announced he would no longer be presenting the bi-annual Comic Relief live shows on TV, the comedy heavyweight looked happier than ever as he was spotted filming for his brand new Netflix series in Greater Manchester. Dressed in a stylish green polo shirt with blue collar and matching flat cap, the 65 year old actor flashed a cheeky smile on the set of Missing You, the latest of Harlan Coben’s novels to be adapted by the streaming service, following the success of his earlier novels including Fool Me Once, The Stranger and Safe.

Comedy legend Lenny Henry has been pictured for the first time in his starring role in a major new Netflix drama in Manchester. Lenny was pictured on set in the city centre this week as filming continues on Missing You.

Claire Skinner, who is best known for her role in Outnumbered, is returning to our screens for Channel 5's new thriller Coma. But away from fame, the actress, 59, tends to keep her life out of the spotlight, however, she is known to be dating her co-star from the hugely popular comedy series.

Hot off the heels of Fool Me Once, Netflix is set to release another thriller adapted from a Harlan Coben novel and there are lots of familiar faces in the cast.The series, which is based on the 2014 novel, previously cast Slow Horses actress Rosalind Eleazar as the lead Detective Kat Donovan, with filming already underway. Joining Rosalind in the production is EastEnders star Jessica Plummer, Fool Me Once’s Richard Armitage, Three Little Birds’ Lenny Henry, Happy Valley’s Steve Pemberton, and The Stranger’s Paul Kaye.

Barbie‘s ‘I’m Just Ken’ for his final Comic Relief appearance last night (March 15) – watch it below.The Comic Relief co-founder announced he was hosting his final Red Nose Day earlier this year, telling the BBC it was “time to hand on to the new generation”.Now, he has officially said his goodbyes with his own version of the Barbie‘s hit song, which he dubbed ‘I’m Just Len’ . Henry donned Ryan Gosling’s unforgettable costume and referenced several iconic sketches from nearly 40 years of hosting the annual show: “I’m Just Len / Acting with Idris and a chicken / Is it my legacy to wear a giant red nose on my meat and veg?“In the sketch, he also pondered about his future ambitions, including starring in “a Marvel movie with Beyoncé”, running for Prime Minister (“You know I’ll win”) and turning Number 10 into “a great big dope ass Premier Inn” (but maybe not I’m A Celeb, according to the sketch).Watch Henry’s full performance here.Henry founded Comic Relief with screenwriter Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Bridget Jones) in 1985, establishing the charity in response to the famine in Ethiopia.Since 1986, Comic Relief has hosted Red Nose Day as an annual fundraising event.

The BBC's Comic Relief fundraising event left some viewers with questions over the number of hosts on at the same time.The show marked Lenny Henry's final hosting gig, after announcing earlier this year that he would step away from this role he held for 39 years. On stage, he was joined by Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Paddy McGuinness, Rosie Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan, Maya Jama and David Tennant. Viewers' attention shifted from the action on stage to the quantity of hosts; as the hosts themselves poked fun at this at the beginning of the evening.

Celebrity Big Brother viewers were left divided after two more stars were evicted during Friday night's live show (March 15).

Comic Relief viewers claimed they 'couldn't keep up' with an influx of presenters during Friday night's Red Nose Day broadcast (Friday March 15).

On Friday 15th March, fund-raising TV spectacular Comic Relief will return for Red Nose Day with brand new sketches from legendary comedy stars, famous actors, and a host of epic challenges. Olivia Colman, Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts and Kate Winslet are just a few of the famous faces that will appear in new sketches for Comic Relief's Night of TV.

He's been a familiar face on our TV screens for decades but Sir Lenny Henry is about to host Comic Relief for the last time.

Red Nose Day is returning to Salford's MediaCityUK for its live 2024 broadcast tonight (Friday March 15). It will see a stellar line-up of comedians and actors entertain the nation in live performances and hilarious sketches - all in aid of Comic Relief.

Sir Lenny Henry has announced the sad reason why he's quitting Comic Relief as he hosts his last-ever show.The actor and comedian, 65, has become the face of the charity after co-founding it with Love Actually director, Richard Curtis back in 1985.The TV star revealed that he would be stepping down from presenting the show after 39 years during an appearance on BBC Breakfast earlier this year. His last time hosting Comic Relief will be tonight (Friday, 15 March) as he hands it over "to the new generation." Sharing the news he said: "I'm not going to be hosting anymore Comic Reliefs after this but I will make special appearances.

EXCLUSIVE: Jessica Plummer (The Girl Before), Richard Armitage (The Hobbit), Lenny Henry (The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power), Steve Pemberton (Happy Valley), Paul Kaye (Sexy Beast), Samantha Spiro (Sex Education), Lisa Faulkner (Archie) and Mary Malone (Doctor Who) are among cast to have joined Rosalind Eleazar (Slow Horses) in Netflix‘s Harlan Coben adaptation Missing You, which is currently filming in the UK.

She’s a self-made multimillionaire with a glittering TV career, so it’s no wonder that for Sara Davies MBE “failure is not an option”.The crafting queen, 39, has earned an astonishing £37 million fortune by harnessing her pioneering spirit, determination and good old-fashioned grit to forge a business career. Now Dragons’ Den star Sara hopes that same mindset will carry her along on her toughest mission yet – a 50km trek for Comic Relief across the Arctic Circle, alongside fellow Geordie Vicky Pattison, DJ Laura Whitmore and England Lioness Alex Scott. “I’m a firm believer that actually getting through anything is just mind over matter,” says Sara, confidently.

Queen Camilla was seen chatting to Tom Hiddleston and Sir Lenny Henry at star-studded Buckingham Palace event to celebrate the final of a prestigious children’s writing competition, the BBC’s 500 Words.The wife of King Charles, who is currently battling an undisclosed type of cancer, looked lovely in a navy blue dress with appliqué detailing on the front, to which she had also pinned a brooch. Camilla, 76, was in great spirits as she greeted the celebrity guests at the event, including actor Tom Hiddleston, who briefly dated Taylor Swift in 2016, comedian and actor, Sir Lenny Henry, and Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville.

Lorraine Kelly has landed a surprising new role on ITV's The Masked Singer as she will be joining the judging panel for the show's fifth series, alongside comedian Sir Lenny Henry, Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon, and pop sensation Ellie Goulding. They'll be joining regulars Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Rita Ora and Mo Gilligan, and for three episodes, Olly Murs, Charlie Simpson and Jennifer Saunders will fill in for Rita.

Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths) first landed on EastEnders back in 2018 as the father of Keegan Baker (Zack Morris) and ex-boyfriend of Karen Taylor (Lorraine Stanley). While his stint was only temporary to begin with, Mitch later returned as a regular character in 2019 with his daughter Chantelle (Jessica Plummer) in tow. Over his time in Walford, the character faced many ups and downs, with his departure prompted by the Taylor family's involvement in a kidnapping plot.

EXCLUSIVE: Meera Syal, Alison Hammond and the BBC’s Black Ops creator Gbemisola Ikumelo scooped awards at this afternoon’s Women in Film & TV Awards 2023.

Ellise Shafer “EastEnders” star Michelle Collins is making the leap from acting to production, and hopes to champion “working-class voices” in her projects. During a panel at Content London on Thursday, Collins discussed the ins and outs of making the career transition alongside Sir Lenny Henry, Banijay U.K. CEO Patrick Holland, Marta Dusseldorp, Alexandra Rapaport, Gabija Siurbyte, Calle Jansson and Ernestas Jankauskas.

British comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry underwent a dramatic three stone weight loss transformation after receiving a grave warning from his doctor regarding his health.

EXCLUSIVE: As Deadline reported earlier this week, Douglas Mackinnon, who served as executive producer, director and co-showrunner on the first two seasons of Good Omens, will not be returning for the expected third season of the Amazon/BBC series. It turns out Mackinnon also has exited another Neil Gaiman Amazon fantasy series, the upcoming Anansi Boys.

Lenny Henry has launched a scripted production outfit backed by the £50M ($61M) Banijay UK Growth Fund.

K.J. Yossman Lenny Henry has launched a new production company backed by Banijay U.K. Titled Esmerelda, the new venture will focus on drama and comedy with an emphasis on under-represented voices.

National treasure Sir Lenny Henry delved deep into his family history to create his new Windrush-inspired drama Three Little Birds.The 65-year-old comedy star joined forces with It’s A Sin writer Russell T Davies for the series, which tells the story of three young Jamaican women beginning a new life in Britain in the 1950s. “My inspiration was the stories of my parents, my uncles and aunties talking about what it was actually like to come to Britain in the 50s,” Lenny says. The six-part period drama follows sisters Leah and Chantrelle, played by The Nevers’ Rochelle Neil and EastEnders ’ Saffron Coomber, as they emigrate from Saint Ann Parish to Notting Hill and eventually the West Midlands with their family friend Hosanna (newcomer Yazmin Belo).

Sarah Lancashire has revealed she has “brain fog” due to the “most terrible” menopause.The 58 year old actress was the star of the night at this year's National Television Awards (NTAs), where was given the special recognition gong last week for her body of work, including roles in Coronation Street, Last Tango In Halifax, and Happy Valley. Sarah told The Mail on Sunday: “I’m having the most terrible menopause.

Naman Ramachandran Writer-director Richard Curtis, known for iconic British romantic comedies “Love Actually,” “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Notting Hill,” has revealed his next venture. “Christmas Actually” is a stage show encompassing live music, performance, poetry and comedy that will serve as a fundraiser for charity Comic Relief, BBC News reports. It is not a sequel to 2003 hit “Love Actually.” Comic Relief is a charity founded by Curtis and Lenny Henry in 1985 in response to the famine in Ethiopia. Since then the charity has raised millions to help those in need via fundraisers where British comedians perform. Its annual event Red Nose Day is its biggest fund earner.

Naman Ramachandran The first look images from Lenny Henry’s “Three Little Birds,” executive produced by “It’s a Sin” creator Russell T Davies, have been unveiled. The series stars Rochelle Neil (“The Nevers”), Yazmin Belo (“What Just Happened”) and Saffron Coomber (“Tracey Beaker Returns”). Designed as a celebration of immigration, community and the strength of Black womanhood, the series is inspired by the stories of Henry’s mother. Set in 1957, it follows sisters Leah (Neil) and Chantrelle (Coomber) and their virtuous, bible-loving acquaintance, Hosanna (Belo), as they board a cruise ship from Jamaica bound for a new life in Britain. Once they reach they discover that life is not smooth sailing but are determined to succeed and overcome the many obstacles of integration and build a new life in Britain.

Craig Doyle has taken to social media to mark a 'lovely few days' presenting on This Morning alongside Alison Hammond.The Irish presenter, 52, joined Alison as they took over the helm from Holly Willoughby, who is enjoying an extended half-term break from the show after the departure of co-host Philip Schofield. During Craig's stint on the daytime TV show, the host welcomed a number of guests to the famous couch, including actor Sir Lenny Henry.

Naman Ramachandran British presenter, broadcaster, filmmaker, author and historian, professor David Olusoga, will be presented with a BAFTA Special Award at the upcoming BAFTA Television Awards on May 14. The award is one of BAFTA’s highest honors recognizing an outstanding contribution to film, games or television. Olusoga’s credits include presenting history series “A House Through Time” (BBC Two), writing and presenting series “Black & British: A Forgotten History” (BBC Two) and the BAFTA-winning “Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners.” In recent years he led major interviews with the former President of the United States, Barack Obama and lectures including the Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart Lecture in 2020.

Style maven Amanda Holden is no stranger to showcasing her outfits. From chic dresses to tailored shirts, there’s no shortage of impressive looks within her wardrobe. However, it was while showing off her latest outfit on Instagram that many fans got more than they bargained for, as the star suffered an unfortunate wardrobe blunder while modelling an all-white outfit.

Comic Relief 2023 kicked off on Friday night for the first time without Sir Lenny Henry, who co-founded the charity fundraiser in 1985.

Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day is back tonight, with a host of famous coming together to raise funds for some vital causes. The latest edition of the annual telethon will see Joel Dommett take on host duties as some of the biggest names in entertainment make viewers laugh while supporting those in need.

Netflix has released its trailer and key art for The Witcher: Blood Originat the CCXP event in Brazil, also revealing that Joey Bateywill star as Jaskier in the four-part series. It will bow on Sunday, December 25.

Outlander star Sam Heughan has revealed that he would love to star in the new Amazon series Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.