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It has been 39 years since Lenny Henry played a key role in creating Comic Relief to address the famine in Ethiopia. For the past 36 years, he has been the host of the organization’s telethons on BBC One. However, he has now decided to retire his red suit and put away his red nose.

This year’s fundraising event, Comic Relief: Funny for Money, will mark the end of Henry’s tenure as host for Red Nose Day. He expresses that his final gig as host in 2024 will be the “greatest night” of his life. Despite stepping down, he will still hold the position of life president for Comic Relief and will continue to work with the charity behind the scenes. It will be difficult to find a replacement for Henry, as very few comedians have been able to effectively balance the unpredictable nature of live TV with the seriousness of the cause, as the 65-year-old has done. Here are some of his most memorable moments from his nearly four decades of hosting this freestyle fundraising event.

In 1986, Lenny tried to impress Frank Bruno.

Evidence of the extent to which Henry has been closely associated with Comic Relief can be seen in his longstanding involvement since the time when his portrayal of beloved British boxing legend Frank Bruno was a prominent element of his television routine. At a show at the Shaftesbury theatre in London prior to the inaugural televised Comic Relief fundraiser two years later, Henry, in character as Bruno, reenacts the iconic balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, with the actual Bruno appearing as Juliet. The two of them fully embrace the comedic aspect of the sketch.

Lenny does Luther (2016)

John Luther, portrayed by Idris Elba, departs from a crime scene to honor a family commitment. On his way to his mother’s home, he stops to purchase a supermarket chicken. Upon arrival, his numerous siblings, portrayed by Henry and British sports figures as part of a sketch for the discontinued spin-off, Sport Relief, accuse him of committing murder. The athletes perform admirably, with Ian Wright and Denise Lewis standing out in particular, likely prompting them to consider delving into acting further. However, the standout moment is when Henry dons an exact replica of Elba’s costume, catchphrases, and mannerisms.

Lenny kisses Elle Macpherson in 1999.

“She performed a kiss using tongues! She performed a kiss using tongues!” The follow-up to possibly the most well-known moment of Red Nose Day – Dawn French kissing Hugh Grant in 1995 – showcases supermodel Elle Macpherson pouncing on Henry, much to the dismay of French, who was his wife at the time. The sense of uncertainty and unpredictability is a hallmark of Comic Relief’s live telethons, and this moment exemplifies the mildly chaotic nature of such events. On a side note, props to Cilla Black, the third person on the hosting couch, who displays impeccable comedic timing by suddenly mounting Henry to conclude the segment.

Lenny confronts Tom Jones (1991) in close proximity.

Henry, portraying Theophilus P Wildebeeste in The Lenny Henry Show, a beloved sketch comedy program, wears leather, sequins, and a glowing red nose over his crotch. Standing next to him is another performer dressed identically as Tom Jones, who was known for his sexually charged stage performances at the time. Jones fully embraces the role, but his sexiness proves to be too much for Theophilus. In an attempt to keep up, Theophilus grunts and eventually injures himself. At the end of the scene, Theophilus panics while Henry’s character breaks the fourth wall with knowing looks to someone off-camera.

Lenny is currently residing in Uganda (2015).

Comic Relief has reduced the frequency of their “saviour” films, which were criticized for their portrayal of wealthy celebrities swooping in to an African village, crying at the poverty, and using their wealth to make small improvements. However, no one was better at promoting the impact of public donations than Henry. This was evident during his live appearance on BBC Breakfast where he showcased a newly constructed medical facility in Iyolwa, Uganda, made possible by Comic Relief funds. It is difficult not to feel touched by Henry’s evident happiness and sense of accomplishment in contrast to the dire conditions people in the community used to face.

In 2023, Lenny transforms into David Tennant anew.

Next year’s Comic Relief show will mark the first time Henry will not be present since 2009. This is because he was occupied with his role in Othello at the West Yorkshire Playhouse. David Tennant stepped in as his replacement, co-hosting with Davina McCall for the opening 100 minutes. Since then, the former Doctor Who actor has been a regular supporter of Comic Relief. There is speculation that Tennant could permanently fill the void left by Henry. This may seem unusual, but Tennant is expanding his career by hosting ITV’s reality game show Genius Game, similar to the show Traitors. A hint towards this possibility can be seen in a Comic Relief sketch from last year, where Henry transforms into Tennant in a Doctor Who-inspired moment.

Source: theguardian.com