Sir Lenny Henry
Comedian and actor Sir Lenny Henry is a presenter on the night and a Trustee of the charity. He launched the first Red Nose Day in 1988.
Published: 14 March 2017
It’s going to be brilliant, it’s going to be exciting, and passionate, and the films are going to be moving. As my nephew would say, it’s gonna be dope!
What is your favourite Comic Relief memory - either from a past fundraising event that you’ve done, or a memorable moment from watching the night of TV?
There are quite a few actually - I find it very difficult to choose. Popstars with Rowan Atkinson and various people was great. I have to say, having spent a lot of time in Africa, the one fantastic moment was when we went there with Ewan McGregor just before he was about to do Star Wars and we spent a lot of time in the car singing. He’s a really good singer and there were nine-part harmonies which weren't bad, I reckon we could have gone on Let It Shine and won! It was really, really good!
What are you most looking forward to on this year’s night Of TV?
I’m looking forward to all of it, it’s going to be brilliant. Graham Norton’s going to have the longest chat show sofa in existence, and I want to see how they get it in the building, I’m fascinated! Greg Davies is going to be in a hot-tub on the roof of The O2 - that’s going to be good - and Ed Sheeran might be around too. That’s a secret… but if you see a ginger geezer with a big anorak on I’m betting it’s him.
I think it’s going to be a fantastic night. I always enjoy it, the live-ness and the fact that it’s a bunch of comedians running around being anarchic! Also, Russell Brand is going to be doing stand-up on the night, I really, really get on well with Russell so we’ll have a good time.
Are you looking forward to presenting in front of a live audience?
Well this is something I’ve been doing since I was 16, so the idea of looking forward to it is really something quite odd. But yes, I’m looking forward to Comic Relief this year, I’m looking forward to the whole thing. It’s going to be brilliant, it’s going to be exciting and passionate and the films are going to be moving. I know what my bits are, I just don’t know what anybody else is doing. As my nephew would say, it’s gonna be dope! It might even be super mega dope!
Have you got any kind of pre-show routine you do before going on stage?
Apart from oiling up and wrestling with various members of my family in a loin cloth, no!
