Danny and the Human Zoo
Drama giving a fictionalised account of Lenny Henry's life as a teenager in 1970s Dudley, following a talented impressionist and his rise to fame as a stand-up comedian.
Danny and the Human Zoo is a fictionalised account of Lenny Henry's life as a teenager in 1970s Dudley. The story centres on Danny Fearon, a talented impressionist, and his working-class Jamaican family, as he rises to fame as a stand-up comedian.
When Danny wins a local talent competition, he soon finds himself working the comedy circuit. Audiences can't get enough and applaud Danny as he effortlessly morphs into Mohammed Ali, Tommy Cooper and Frank Spencer, eventually hitting the big time on TV. But an unscrupulous agent takes advantage of Danny and forces him to star in The Black and White Minstrel Show. Danny hits rock bottom. Having made his name by becoming other people, Danny has to save himself by finding out who he really is.
Last on
Clip
![]()
Danny and the local talent show
Duration: 02:38
Music Played
![]()
Millie Small
My Boy Lollipop
![]()
Alice Cooper
Schools Out
![]()
Mud
Tiger Feet
![]()
Duane Eddy & The Rebels
Movin' n' Groovin'
![]()
David Bowie
The Jean Genie
![]()
Stevie Wonder
Superstition
![]()
Curtis Mayfield
Move On Up
![]()
David Bowie
Rebel Rebel
![]()
Shirley & Company
Shame Shame Shame
![]()
Van McCoy
The Hustle
![]()
Engelbert Humperdinck
Release Me
![]()
Louis Jordan
Jack You're Dead
![]()
James Brown
Get Up
![]()
Otis Redding
Shake
![]()
The Funk Brothers
Home Cookin'
![]()
Engelbert Humperdinck
Quando Quando Quando
![]()
Alvin Stardust
My Coo Ca Choo
![]()
Louis Prima
Jump Jive & Wail
![]()
Nicky Thomas
God Bless the Children
![]()
Stranger Cole
Bangarang
![]()
Stevie Wonder
I Wish
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Danny | Kascion Franklin |
| Myrtle | Cecilia Noble |
| Samson | Lenny Henry |
| Larrington | Peter Bankole |
| Lamont | Brenton Hamilton |
| Dee Dee | Cherrelle Skeete |
| Pearl | Natasha Gordon |
| Cherry | Leonie Elliot |
| Terry | Michael Crump |
| Bern | Reis Bruce |
| Georgie | Lee Hodge |
| Skinner Bailey | Jack Loxton |
| Mrs Patterson | Tonia Daley-Campbell |
| Barry Carter | Oliver Phelps |
| Brian Carter | James Phelps |
| Bridget | Evanna Lynch |
| Jonesy | Arthur Darvill |
| Ellis | Richard Boland |
| Syd Bolton | Mark Benton |
| Judge 1 | John Yapp |
| Judge 2 | Peter Terry |
| ASM | Adam Fray |
| Photographer | Daniel Holden |
| Valda Graham | Marlene McKenzie |
| Girl in Pub | Victoria Pritchard |
| Foreman | Laurence Inman |
| Francis Riordan | Quinn Patrick |
| Majella Riordan | Tina Harris |
| Calvin Gayle | Danny Sapani |
| Palladium Compere | David Knopov |
| James Broughton | Richard Wilson |
| Julie | Dayna Bateman |
| Tracie | Anna Piper |
| Stunt coordinator | Jo McLaren |
| Stunt coordinator | Andy Smart |
| Director | Destiny Ekaragha |
| Producer | Juliet Charlesworth |
| Writer | Lenny Henry |
| Executive Producer | Nicola Shindler |
| Executive Producer | Caroline Hollick |
| Executive Producer | Polly Hill |
| Production Company | Red Production Company |
Broadcast
- Mon 31 Aug 201521:00
Meet the Characters
Learn more about the main characters in Danny and the Human Zoo
