Sir Lenny Henry: A Life on Screen is an in-depth TV special on the BAFTA-winning stand-up comedian, actor and writer, co-produced by BAFTA Productions and Whizz Kid Entertainment
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced today that Sir Lenny Henry, one of Britain’s best-loved comedians and writers, will be celebrated in an hour-long television special to be broadcast on BBC Two this Christmas. The programme is co-produced by BAFTA Productions and Whizz Kid Entertainment.
The one-off special will be broadcast at 21.00 on Monday 19 December with a repeat at 23.00 on Wednesday 21 December, and will delve in to the archives to showcase some of Lenny’s incredible work, spanning his 41 years in show business from his early appearance on New Faces to his instrumental roles in Tiswas and Comic Relief and to becoming one of Britain’s most diverse and critically acclaimed performers.
The programme will feature interviews with close friends and colleagues who helped shape Sir Lenny’s glittering career, such as Richard Curtis, Kim Fuller, Michael Grade, Trevor McDonald and Chris Tarrant, as well an in-depth interview with Sir Lenny himself. The programme is to be produced by Samantha Peters who has been the inspirational Producer of the three Life On Screen series to date.
Clare Brown, Director of Production at BAFTA, said: “Following the Special Award that we presented to Sir Lenny at the British Academy Television Awards earlier this year, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to create a programme that illustrates the versatility and passion of this talented performer this Christmas.”
Katherine Allen, Executive Producer at Whizz Kid Entertainment, said: “We are incredibly happy to be working once again with BBC Two and BAFTA Productions to shine the spotlight on another fantastic entertainer, Sir Lenny Henry.”
Pinki Chambers, Commissioning Editor for BBC Entertainment, said: “Viewers are in for a real treat as we see Lenny and the people closest to him share some hilarious and interesting stories behind the some of his most memorable shows.”
Patrick Holland, Channel Editor of BBC Two, and Pinki Chambers, Commissioning Editor for BBC Entertainment, commissioned the programme. Executive Producers are Clare Brown for BAFTA Productions and Katherine Allen for Whizz Kid Entertainment.
Sir Lenny Henry: A Life on Screen will air at 21.00 on Monday 19 December with a repeat at 23.00 on Wednesday 21 December.
