The Lenny Henry Birthday Show
WED 22 August, 8pm BBC1 Entertainment
Lenny Henry takes a look back at his long career in a new tribute show, hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald. The one-hour special will celebrate Lenny’s 60th birthday with archive clips from his 43 years on TV, as well as the best moments from his most famous characters, including Theophilus P Wildebeeste, Delbert Wilkins, Deakus and
Mister Lister.
The Lenny henry Birthday Show
Wednesday, 8pm
BBC1 Entertainment
QHow does it feel to reach 60 and have such a big celebration for your birthday?
AIt’s a real honour. I started when I was
15, so to be 60 and have a commemorative show is fantastic. It was a joy and there are lots of treats in it!
QYou’re interviewed by Sir Trevor McDonald in the show. What was that like?
AHe’s one of my heroes. I’ve known him since he appeared as the real Trevor McDoughnut on Tiswas. We don’t see each other a lot but when we do, we chat warmly about the past. The only bit that was missing from our interview was a nice bottle of red wine and a bag of crisps!
QWhat do you chat to him about in the show?
AThere was a lot of laughing, but we talk about serious things, too, like my audition for New Faces, my relationship with my mum and what it was like growing up in a Jamaican household in predominately white Dudley.
QTell us about the new sketches you filmed…
AI wanted to do some stuff that was current. I’m crazy about Marvel comics, so I wanted to be Black Panther, and we revisit the royal wedding because Bishop Michael Curry was hilarious.
QAre there some musical send-ups in the show, too?
AYes. I’ve always done music parodies and it was lovely to do more. I’m a fan of Stormzy and I’ve met him a couple of times, so we did him. We also do Stevie Wonder, who I’m a big fan of.
QDo you have a favourite sketch from your career?
AI remember our parody of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. It was freezing cold when we shot it during the night, but it was such fun. I also remember doing a spoof of Prince’s Purple Rain video – I was this huge guy trying to be Prince!
QAnd which character did you love playing most?
AI liked playing Jamaican pensioner Deakus. He was based on the guy who used to deliver our bread. When I used to do Deakus I’d be in make-up for ages, but now I wouldn’t need to be! He was about 60, and I thought, ‘He’s an old man,’ but now I’m 60 and I feel relatively young still!