It’s Wonderful! Sir Lenny plays his hero Stevie
IT could be Stevie Wonder… or is it just Sir Lenny Henry doing an uncanny impersonation of the US soul legend?
Indeed it was Sir Lenny in the black sequined jacket, sunglasses and braids, who was recording scenes for a BBC special to mark his 60th birthday next month.
The actor and comedian also sported a precise, shaved haircut and facial hair to emulate 24-year-old British grime artist Stormzy.
Sir Lenny told The British Comedy Guide: ‘This is a great honour. I’m very chuffed to have my comedy work celebrated like this.
‘One of the reasons I became a comedy performer was because of the rich and varied palette of comedy broadcast on the BBC throughout my childhood.
‘I was hooked and my early career displays the connection. I’m a comedy consumer now, but my teens were marked by my family’s tendency to sit round the television and watch everything. So big up Auntie Beeb – you’re the reason I’m here...’
Filming for the special programme is already underway, as Sir Lenny was seen transformed into Stevie Wonder and Stormzy while pre-recording segments in London.
Sporting a black sequined suit jacket, braids, dark sunglasses and a moustache, Sir Lenny smiled and clapped as he sat in a gold and red throne at a keyboard portraying music legend Stevie Wonder.
In another scene, Sir Lenny was seen cutting a more youthful figure in a red Adidas three stripe tracksuit jacket and matching tracksuit bottoms
‘Chuffed to have work celebrated’
and a pair of red and white trainers. The programme will be presented by Sir Trevor McDonald.
Sir Lenny has turned heads at recent appearances as he stepped out showcasing a noticeably slender frame.
The ex-husband of Dawn French was diagnosed with diabetes and has been looking to lose weight since 2014 after his diagnosis and vowing to cut out alcohol and biscuits.
Baz Bamigboye – Page 48