Podcasts Culture Profile Sir Lenny Henry

Sir Lenny Henry

Published: Oct. 28, 2023, 6:15 p.m.

One of Britain's most popular comedians, Sir Lenny Henry, has spent nearly 50 years in show business. His new TV drama series 'Three Little Birds' is inspired by his mother's generation, who came to Britain from the Caribbean to make a new start in post-Windrush Britain. \nTimandra Harkness charts his life from impersonator and stand-up comedian, to Shakespearean actor, scriptwriter and campaigner for diversity in the media. She discovers how his talent as an entertainer was first discovered as a teenager on the disco floor in Dudley, in the West Midlands. Timandra talks to family, friends and colleagues to find out what drives Sir Lenny to keep trying new things.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness\nProducer: Sally Abrahams and Natasha Fernandes\nSound: James Beard\nEditor: Simon Watts

Archive credits:\nThree Little Birds ITV - Douglas Road and Tiger Aspect Productions under Banijay UK\nGraham Norton Show\nNew Faces - Associated Television (1973-1978), ITV Central (1986-1988)\nBBC Seaside Special \nBBC Comic Relief 1988\nNorthern Broadsides Othello on Radio 4\nBAFTAs Guru 2014 Speech