Home / Arts and Entertainment / Sir Lenny Henry recalls wife's sharp critique of early comedy
Sir Lenny Henry recalls wife's sharp critique of early comedy
7 Jun
Summary
- Ex-wife Dawn French questioned Lenny Henry's early career choices.
- Henry's early jokes, deemed racist now, sought validation.
- He and Dawn French amicably separated after 25 years of marriage.
Sir Lenny Henry, 67, shared that his ex-wife Dawn French, 68, would question some of his career choices, particularly his early comedic material. Henry admitted that as a young comedian, he performed jokes against himself that are now considered racist. He sought validation and imitated humor from older comics, a direction French and others challenged, asking him, "what are you doing that for?"
Henry and French, who were married for 25 years, first met in 1980 and married four years later. They adopted their daughter Billie in 1991. The couple announced their amicable separation in April 2010, stating they had parted six months prior and would remain friends, prioritizing their daughter's upbringing.
Both have since found new partners. Dawn French married charity executive Mark Bignell in 2013 and resides in Calstock, Cornwall. Sir Lenny has been in a relationship with Lisa Makin since 2012 and lives in Berkshire. Sir Lenny is currently on his first stand-up tour in over 15 years, with dates across the UK.
