The BBC paid tribute to Sir Lenny Henry as he hosted his latest annual Comic Relief fundraiser for Red Nose Day.
At the three-hour fundraising gala tonight (March 15), Henry’s co-hosts Romesh Ranganathan, Maya Jama, David Tennant, Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Rosie Ramsey and Paddy McGuinness praised Henry’s “extraordinary legacy” throughout the broadcast.
Following a performance of McFly’s ‘It’s All About You’, it was revealed that the actor and comedian had raised over £1.5 billion since his debut show in 1988.
“Tonight is really about Lenny,” McCall said, while Tennant described Henry’s tenure as head of Comic Relief as an “incredible time of service”.
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“It was an honor and a pleasure,” Henry replied. “It’s not just about me, it’s about comedy and compassion.”
Comic Relief was founded in 1985 by Richard Curtis from Henry and Love Actually in response to the famine in Ethiopia with the aim of making the public laugh while raising money.
Later in the show, McCall and Tennant invited several people Henry had helped over the years back to the studio for a surprise segment thanking the actor for all his work raising money for charity.
“If you are here and have taken part in one of our wonderful projects, please stand up or raise your hand. If Lenny and Comic Relief have helped you change your life,” McCall said as several audience members stood and applauded.
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“We could have filled a thousand studios with people you and Comic Relief helped,” McCall continued, before playing a video message from Aberash, a woman from Ethiopia who Henry helped.
“I’m speechless, it’s so lovely to see everyone,” replied a tearful Henry, overwhelmed with emotion after watching the video. “What an extraordinary evening this is… Thank you so much.”
The show also announced that a total of £37,019,832 had been raised for Henry’s final show, an increase on the 2023 total of £31,952,141.
Comic Relief airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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