Lenny Henry On Comedy, Dramatic Acting & Returning To Stand-Up
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What sparked Lenny Henry’s first meeting with Romesh Ranganathan?
Who do you support? West Bromich Albion. So forgive me for everybody for they're really um Lisa supports Man City, my partner Lisa, so I'm literally an adjacent Man City fan now. And I'm literally I'm in it now. I don't support them, but I'm in it. I have to sit and watch the matches. You want them
to win the league. I
kind of want
them to win 'cause
they make my life easy. I see. Yeah. If they win it's my life is easy for the rest of the day. Got it, got it, got it. Yeah. There's no bad tempered people around. Her mom is rabid. Her mum just screams at the screen. We're rolling now, you know this, not you. What oh yeah. No, you can't have any of that other stuff I just said about Lisa and her mum. Love Doris. Doris, we love you. Say I love you, Doris, everybody. Yeah, love you, Doris. Love you,
Doris. And it's good that you're passionate, Doris. Yeah, man. Passion is good. Yeah. Okay. I'm gonna stop
the interview now.
Okay.
Hi, my name is Lenny Henry. I'm gonna be on the Romesh Ranganathan show soon, coming to a Дивайсь у комп'ютер ой пад нерю.
Right guard. Nathan.
Oh shut up, Rome.
This episode is brought to you by Counselling Directory. I've been very open about my mental health struggles over the years. I've tried everything from meditation to hypnotherapy. I like to keep an open mind. But something that's really helped me is therapy. I think it can be great if you struggle with anxiety, if you're going through something like a breakup or a loss. It can also be really good if you just need someone to talk to that isn't your partner or your dog. Sometimes it can though feel like even finding a therapist is an uphill struggle. Where do I look? Are they legit? How do I know who's going to be right for me? So that's why I think Counselling Directory is so great. It helps you find a therapist that's right for you, whether you want to see someone face to face or online.
They have over 29,000 therapists and counsellors across the UK. So even if you're picky, you should be able to find someone. And all of the therapists on the Directory are verified. You can take the time to read their personal profiles, learn a bit about them and how they work, and then contact the ones that you like in your own time. And that I think makes the whole thing a little bit less scary. If you've been thinking about therapy, visit Counselling Directory and find a therapist that's right for you. My guest today is an actor, comedian, writer, and knight of the realm. Over the last 50 years, his comedic brilliance has lit up kids' TV, sitcoms, and sketch shows. In 1985, he harnessed his love of making people laugh with fundraising, co founding Comic Relief, which to date has raised over £1.6 billion for charities around the world.
He's also become an acclaimed dramatic actor on stage and on screen, as well as being a passionate advocate for diversity. Yeah. He's also an absolute legend. It's Seleni Henry, everybody!
What a lovely introduction, thank you so much. Beautifully read, I have.
Thank you. Um was there anything um that you'd like to us to have given a bit more oomph to? Do you know what I mean?
I don't know. I listen, uh you didn't mention tiswas and that's a blessing sometimes. Mm-hmm 'cause every everything every I go on the street in the shops, Lady Tizwars I get that a lot. It's like listen to Do you ever get five, my friend Fifty years ago. I get that. Okay. Taxis. Uber. Ooky. I still have that. Literally the first thing I ever did. Best thing you ever did. I fell out okay. Thanks. Thank you. I love my people. I love my people who come up to me in the street, but literally I just did I won an award for doing frenzies. Ooh. Where's Speed the Dog? I
get that. We've met a few times. I've met you a few times. I don't know you
I don't know you and we are acquaintances. Yeah. But I kind of the last to the last couple of times I said, Well, yeah, we should have dinner and it's never happened. It's not happened. We've not had dinner. But that's not be You don't want me to be in your house, do you? Yeah, I do.
You don't meet to meet your mum properly or Lisa with you?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What sparked Lenny Henry’s first meeting with Romesh Ranganathan?
0:00–4:43
2
How did Lenny’s early stand‑up and TV work shape his career?
4:43–10:48
3
What challenges did Lenny face as a Black comedian in the UK?
10:48–18:26
4
Why did Lenny decide to return to stand‑up after 15 years?
18:26–24:15
5
How does Lenny approach self‑care, manscaping and style on stage?
24:15–30:44
6
What can fans expect from Lenny’s new ‘Still at Large’ tour?
30:44–37:40
7
What is ‘The Split Up’ and why is it important to Lenny?
37:40–43:27
8
What is the best advice Lenny has ever received for a long career?
43:27–1:01:55
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from The Romesh Ranganathan Show
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Gangsters, Weddings & Unusual Habits
Ray Winstone on The Gentlemen, Gangster Etiquette, and Strictly Come Dancing