Lenny Henry

British comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry has been appointed as the chancellor of Birmingham City University, a position that will afford him the chance to offer “life-changing opportunities to young people.”

The 57 year old actor and stand-up comic, who was knighted in the Queen’s 2015 Birthday Honours, said that his new role would be a “superb opportunity” for him to indulge three passions in his life: “Birmingham and the West Midlands, the creative arts, and giving life-changing opportunities to young people from a wide range of backgrounds.”

Sir Lenny Henry is the new chancellor of Birmingham City University

Continue reading: Sir Lenny Henry Appointed Chancellor Of Birmingham City University

British comedy legend Lenny Henry has reacted to the news that he’s to be offered a knighthood as “like being filled with lemonade”.

The news is widely expected to be confirmed on Friday, and he spoke to Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 show on Tuesday morning (June 9th) about how he felt when he heard the news. “It was lovely, it was a lovely feeling, it was like being filled with lemonade for 10 or 15 minutes,” he said.

Lenny Henry is to be offered a knighthood, according to many reports

Continue reading: Lenny Henry To Receive Knighthood

Lenny Henry used his Bafta lecture to highlight the levels of inequality that are currently commonplace in the entertainment industry in the U.K, suggesting that funds should be set aside to boost the presence of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people in the broadcasting industry.

Contrary to this photo, Lenny Henry isn't happy

The actor and comedian explained that BAME presence in the creative industries is 5.4%, which he describes as "an appalling percentage because the majority of our industry is based around London where the black and Asian population is 40%” adding that the situation behind the camera is also far from desirable.

Continue reading: Lenny Henry Highlights Inequality In Entertainment Industry During BAFTA Speech

Dawn French – best known for her role in The Vicar of Dibley – has married for the second time. She tied the knot with charity worker Mr Bignell at the Scarlet hotel near Newquay at the weekend.

The wedding is reported to have taken place in Fowey Hall, which is described on its website as "one of the most impressive family hotels in Cornwall" and "sophisticated yet uncomplicated, luxurious yet laid back, grand yet comfy". This is, of course, French’s second husband after her high profile relationship with fellow comedian Lenny Henry. Unlike many breakups, theirs was amicable, and Henry didn’t get a feel for Premier Inns while married to French. "Those last few months were pretty much like the first few months; we were good friends," she said, speaking on Radio 4's Desert Islands Discs last year. "It was a tribute to the way we'd been married, the way we accomplished it.

Don't worry, this isn't Dawn French's wedding

Continue reading: Dawn French Is Married Again, Weds At Cornwall Hotel

Every other year, Red Nose day does its best to raise as much as possible for charity via a night of celebrity fun, performances and audience participation. Lenny Henry has been a name synonymous with the event, and he's been remembering the history of the tradition.

"Comic Relief these days is much more in line with shiny-floor shows like The X Factor - fast, zappy, presenter-led - but we were just asking everybody to be kind and help," he wrote in an article for The Telegraph. "We had live entertainment from comedians such as the Goodies and pre-recorded films from Africa, but lots of comedians discovered it was very difficult to do live comedy with an audience that has just watched somebody die."

The 54 year old has always been involved with the charity, and while ne never officially presents the show, his face is never far from the promotional campaigns. "The red noses were a great irony, because they don't make them to fit black people," writes Henry, candidly. "I have a wide nose like a Volkswagen and I've never had a red nose that fitted me - I had to get mine cut in the middle and use tape to secure it. They were always flying off."

Continue reading: Red Nose Day According To One Of Its Patrons, Lenny Henry