Sir Lenny Henry, a towering figure in British entertainment, is opening up like never before on Alison Hammond's Big Weekend, revealing poignant moments from his personal life alongside his celebrated career milestones. The 66-year-old comedian, actor, and writer’s story weaves through triumphs, heartache, and resilience, offering an intimate glimpse into the man behind the laughter.
Born Lenworth George Henry in August 1958 in Dudley, West Midlands, Lenny was the fifth of seven children and notably the first of his family to be born in the UK. Named after the doctor who delivered him at Burton Road Hospital, his early years unfolded in a working-class environment that would later inspire much of his comedic work. His parents, Winston and Winifred, raised him amidst the challenges of immigrant life, with his mother originally arriving from Jamaica.
Yet, one revelation would reshape Lenny’s understanding of his family. At the age of 12, he discovered that Winston, the man who raised him, was not his biological father. Instead, his real father was Albert Augustus Green, affectionately known as Bertie, with whom his mother had a brief relationship upon arriving in England. Lenny recounted this discovery on Alison Hammond’s show, describing the surreal moment when a family member told him, “He’s your dad,” leading to a confrontation with Bertie himself. His mother later explained, “We thought we would give you a bit of time to get used to him first.” This candid sharing sheds light on the complexities of family bonds and identity that Lenny has navigated throughout his life.
Education played a foundational role in Lenny’s development. He attended St John's Primary School and The Blue Coat School in Dudley before furthering his studies at W. R. Tuson College in Preston. But it was his natural talent for comedy that propelled him into the public eye. His career began in working men’s clubs, where his stand-up routines and remarkable impersonations captured audiences. His breakthrough came in 1975 when he appeared on the talent show New Faces, winning acclaim for his performances.
From there, Lenny’s star only rose. He joined The Comic Strip and BBC Radio 1, honing his craft across multiple platforms. In 1984, The Lenny Henry Show debuted on the BBC, a program that would run for an impressive 19 years, cementing his status as a household name. Beyond comedy, Lenny co-founded Comic Relief with Richard Curtis in 1985, a charity initiative that birthed the beloved Red Nose Day in 1988, blending entertainment with philanthropy in groundbreaking fashion.
His versatility extends beyond television. Lenny has appeared in dramas such as The Syndicate and Doctor, lent his voice to the children’s show Big and Small, and even competed on The Masked Singer. Literary pursuits include two autobiographies and two young adult fantasy novels, while his musical interests led to co-producing the blues album New Millennium Blues. Theatre has also been a significant part of his career, showcasing his range as a performer.
On the personal front, Lenny’s life has seen both joy and sorrow. In 1980, he met fellow comedian Dawn French while working on The Comic Strip. Their relationship blossomed, culminating in a wedding ceremony in London’s Covent Garden in 1984, followed by a lavish reception. In 1991, they adopted their daughter Billie when she was just two weeks old. Now 34, Billie prefers to keep a low profile away from the public eye.
However, the marriage did not last forever. In 2010, Lenny and Dawn announced their separation, emphasizing the amicable nature of their split and their commitment to co-parenting Billie. Lenny reflected on the breakup in a 2016 interview, explaining, “There’s generally a situation where one partner wants the marriage to finish more than the other. I think maybe one of us did, then the other one did, and then the other did over a period of time, and then, in the end, we thought, ‘Oh, actually maybe we both do’. We knew it wasn’t possible to continue.” Despite the end of their marriage, the pair have maintained a close friendship, often speaking warmly of each other in interviews.
Since 2012, Lenny has found love again with Lisa Makin, a casting director and theatre producer whose professional credits include miniseries such as Peaches, Mine All Mine, and Aberfan: The Untold Story. The couple often attend high-profile events together but prefer to keep their relationship largely private. Meanwhile, Dawn French has remarried, tying the knot with therapist Mark Bignell.
Amidst these personal narratives, Lenny shared a particularly emotional story on Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend about the death of his mother, Winnie, in 1998. While on tour in Canberra, Australia, he was encouraged by his mother’s doctor to proceed with the tour despite her illness. Tragically, just two days after his arrival, he received the devastating news that she had passed away. “It was awful, I felt awful,” he confided. “I should have just stayed.” The grief was so profound that Lenny sought counselling, which he described as “brilliant” and essential in helping him process his loss. He prefers to remember his mother as she was in her healthier days rather than in illness. Winnie was only 76 when she died, and though her passing was a source of pain, Lenny also acknowledged a complex feeling of relief, understanding the toll her poor health had taken.
Reflecting on his mother’s burial place, Lenny shared, “My mum is buried over there, but I don’t see my mum as being there. I used to go there and talk to her, but I just talk to her wherever I am now.” Alison Hammond, who herself lost her mother in 2020, empathized deeply with Lenny’s experience, underscoring the shared human struggle with grief.
Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend, featuring this heartfelt conversation with Sir Lenny Henry, aired on BBC One on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 8:30 PM. The show promises more intimate moments and revelations as Alison continues to spend time with notable personalities. The next episode is scheduled for June 20, 2025, at the same time.
Sir Lenny Henry’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of openness. From his early days in Dudley to his status as a beloved national figure, his story resonates with themes of identity, loss, love, and reinvention. As he shares these chapters of his life, audiences gain not only entertainment but a profound connection to the man who has long been a fixture of British culture.
