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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Inside Lenny Henry's life including 25-year marriage to Dawn French and his real name
Sir Lenny Henry has had an incredible career in showbiz, and has seen him star in some of the UK's most popular TV shows, as well as co-founding Comic Relief Sir Lenny Henry has been a staple on our telly for years, having built an impressive career as a comedian, writer, and actor. The 66 year old is perhaps best known for his role in The Lenny Henry Show, as well as co-founding Comic Relief with Richard Curtis, which led to the launch of Red Nose Day. Here, we explore the comedian's life, from his diverse career to his marriage to Dawn French.... Lenny Henry's childhood Lenny was born in Dudley in August 1958 to parents Winston and Winifred. His full name is Lenworth George Henry, and he was named after the doctor who delivered him at Burton Road Hospital. He is the fifth of seven children and was the first child of the family to be born in the UK. Lenny eventually discovered his biological father to be a man named Albert Augustus Green, known as Bertie, with whom his mother had a brief relationship when she first arrived in England from Jamaica, reports Surrey Live. Lenny attended St John's Primary School and The Blue Coat School in Dudley before continuing his studies at W. R. Tuson College in Preston. Lenny Henry's career Lenny's career began with stand-up performances in working men's clubs, with his first television appearance on the New Faces talent show in 1975, where he wowed audiences with his remarkable impersonations. He later joined The Comic Strip and BBC Radio 1, continuing to make regular appearances on television. The Lenny Henry Show made its debut on the BBC in 1984 and ran for an impressive 19 years. In 1985, Lenny co-founded the charity Comic Relief alongside Richard Curtis, with the inaugural Red Nose Day taking place three years later. Over the years, Lenny has featured in TV programmes such as The Syndicate and Doctor, lent his voice to characters in children's TV show Big and Small, and participated in game shows like The Masked Singer. Away from the small screen, he's penned two autobiographies and a pair of young adult fantasy novels, co-produced the blues album New Millennium Blues, and starred in theatre productions. Lenny Henry's marriage to Dawn French Lenny crossed paths with Dawn in 1980 when they were both part of the comedy show Comic Strip. The couple exchanged vows in a beautiful ceremony in London's Covent Garden in 1984, followed by a lavish reception. In 1991, Lenny and Dawn adopted their daughter Billie when she was just two weeks old. Now 34, Billie prefers to stay away from the limelight. In 2010, Dawn and Lenny made public their decision to separate. They released a joint statement explaining that the split was amicable, with a mutual intention to remain close friends and prioritise co-parenting their daughter. Over the years, the pair have spoken highly of one another in interviews and have indeed maintained a strong friendship. In a 2016 interview with the Daily Express, Lenny shed light on the reasons behind their separation. He reflected: "There's generally a situation where one partner wants the marriage to finish more than the other. "I think maybe one of us did, then the other one did, and then the other did over a period of time, and then, in the end, we thought, 'Oh, actually maybe we both do'. We knew it wasn't possible to continue." Lenny Henry's marriage to Lisa Makin Lenny has since moved on and found love again in a long-term relationship. In 2012, he began dating casting director and theatre producer Lisa Makin. Lisa's work in the entertainment industry is notable, with credits on IMDb for miniseries such as Peaches, Mine All Mine, Aberfan: The Untold Story, among others. Although Lenny and Lisa often attend red carpet events together, they generally keep their relationship private. Meanwhile, Lenny's ex-wife Dawn has since married therapist Mark Bignell.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Lenny Henry's life including ending 25-year marriage to Dawn French
Sir Lenny Henry is one of the stars appearing in new ITV series Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters and he has had an impressive career Sir Lenny Henry, a familiar face on our telly for years, has built an impressive career as a comedian, writer, and actor. The 66 year old is perhaps most recognised for hosting The Lenny Henry Show, and co-founding Comic Relief with Richard Curtis, which led to the inception of Red Nose Day. His latest telly project sees him revealing more about his personal life, including his childhood, as he's set to feature on Alison Hammond's Big Weekend. The programme will see the duo spending the day together in West London, delving into Lenny's past. Here, we explore the comedian's life, from his diverse career to his marriage to Dawn French.... Lenny Henry's childhood Lenny was born in Dudley in August 1958 to parents Winston and Winifred. His full name is Lenworth George Henry, and he was named after the doctor who delivered him at Burton Road Hospital, reports Surrey Live. He is the fifth of seven children and was the first child of the family to be born in the UK. Lenny eventually discovered his biological father to be a man named Albert Augustus Green, known as Bertie, with whom his mother had a brief relationship when she first arrived in England from Jamaica. Lenny attended St John's Primary School and The Blue Coat School in Dudley before continuing his studies at W. College in Preston. Lenny Henry's career Lenny's career took off performing stand-up routines in working men's clubs, with his first telly appearance in 1975 on the New Faces talent show. His spot-on impersonations won him the competition. He then joined The Comic Strip and the team at BBC Radio 1, continuing to make appearances on the box. The Lenny Henry Show made its debut on the Beeb in 1984 and ran for a whopping 19 years. In 1985, Lenny co-founded the charity Comic Relief with Richard Curtis, with the inaugural Red Nose Day taking place three years later. Over the years, Lenny has graced our screens in TV shows such as The Syndicate and Doctor. He's also lent his voice to characters in the children's TV show Big and Small and participated in game shows like The Masked Singer. Off the telly, he's penned two autobiographies and a pair of young adult fantasy books, co-produced the blues album New Millennium Blues, and taken centre stage in theatre productions. Lenny Henry's marriage to Dawn French Lenny crossed paths with Dawn in 1980 when they were both part of the comedy show Comic Strip. Four years on, the couple said their vows in a beautiful ceremony in London's Covent Garden, followed by a lavish do. In 1991, Lenny and Dawn welcomed their daughter Billie, who they adopted at just two weeks old. Now 34, Billie tends to steer clear of the limelight. Back in 2010, Dawn and Lenny announced the end of their marriage, releasing a statement that read: "The separation is entirely amicable and they fully intend to maintain their close friendship. Their priority is to commit to the future joint parenting of their daughter." While both have maintained a good friendship post-split, speaking fondly of each other in public interviews, Lenny opened up about the dynamics of their breakup in a telling 2016 interview. Speaking to the Daily Express, later he reflected: "There's generally a situation where one partner wants the marriage to finish more than the other. "I think maybe one of us did, then the other one did, and then the other did over a period of time, and then, in the end, we thought, 'Oh, actually maybe we both do'. We knew it wasn't possible to continue." Lenny Henry's marriage to Lisa Makin But love blossomed once again for Lenny when he began dating Lisa Makin in 2012. As a successful casting director and theatre producer credited on projects like Peaches and Aberfan: The Untold Story, Lisa keeps a low profile despite attending star-studded events with Lenny. On the other hand, Dawn has since remarried, tying the knot with therapist Mark Bignell, while she and Lenny jointly parent their daughter, demonstrating that all parties have moved forward positively.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Hidden gem' medical drama that had fans 'hooked' now streaming on Prime Video
All five seasons of a hit US medical drama are now available to stream on the platform A "hidden gem" medical drama that had fans "hooked" is now streaming on Prime Video. Based on Eric Manheimer's 2012 memoir, New Amsterdam follows the journey of Dr Max Goodwin (played by Ryan Eggold) as he takes on the role of medical director at one of America's oldest public hospitals. In his new position, Max is determined to overhaul the neglected institution, cutting through red tape to deliver outstanding care to patients. The series, which debuted in 2018, also features Freema Agyeman, Janet Montgomery, Jocko Sims, Anupam Kher, Tyler Labine and Sandra Mae Frank. After a successful four-year run on NBC, it was revealed in 2022 that the show would conclude with its fifth season, comprising 13 episodes, reports Surrey Live. New Amsterdam can already be streamed in its entirety on Netflix, Sky and NOW, but now all five seasons have been added to Prime Video as well. If you're new or haven't held a Prime membership for a full year, you can get a 30-day free trial of the complete Prime service (not just Prime Video) directly from Amazon. Pricing in the UK stands at £8.99 per month or £95 per year. To enjoy the premium ad-free service, you'll need to shell out an additional £2.99 per month. Throughout its original run, New Amsterdam garnered mixed reviews from critics, who felt the show didn't push any boundaries. However, its audience was much more enthusiastic, with many preferring the drama over its medical rival Grey's Anatomy. "I was impressed by the social commentary in the writing! Well acted. All the usual obvious stuff but a few hidden gems for the few who still want to enjoy a show about life," one viewer penned on IMDb. Another chimed in: "This show looks at the human side of medicine and that is refreshing. In my opinion, it's better than Grey's Anatomy." A third shared: "Finally a medical drama without the usual drama. It's not about the endless romance between the doctors and nurses, it is really focused about the medical aspect of the hospital. The characters are very refreshing and particularly Ryan Eggold is so endearing in his first remarkable role." Echoing the sentiment, a fourth fan wrote: "One of the best medical dramas I've seen. It had me hooked from the first episode."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'All my reasons as a toddler mum for boycotting Netflix's Peppa Pig for Bluey'
One mum has explained why she has stopped her toddler from watching Peppa Pig and has switched to Bluey instead If you're a mum like me, you've likely found yourself tumbling down the rabbit hole in search of safe telly for your toddlers. Experts aren't exactly singing from the same hymn sheet, and while there's no concrete research as yet, some child gurus are hinting that series like Netflix's Cocomelon might be designed to hook our children in an unhealthy way. The theory goes that Cocomelon makers have craftily deployed vivid, attractive colours and snappy scene changes to keep the little ones transfixed. Parents have voiced their concern over their children becoming "brain zapped" during their viewing sessions. A cluster of children experts are raising red flags about these sorts of programmes potentially stunting kids' development, with a handful even calling for a complete TV ban for smaller kids. Some professionals propose that youngsters shouldn't be allowed to watch TV unless an adult is there getting stuck in too, turning it into an educational activity instead, reports Surrey Live. Yet, I've got to wonder aloud to parents rearing toddlers: Is this actually doable? Are we really expected to sit and mimic every move and lyric with our offspring every single time the telly blares? In the real world, I reckon that's a tall order for most parents. From my experience and that of other mums I know, we're often knee-deep in juggling work, bedtime rituals, nursery and school drop-offs, plus extra activities like baking, colouring, painting, dance and swim classes. We resort to TV as a quick fix to sneak off for a swift shower or to whip up dinner, knowing our toddlers are safe and amused. However, some experts now suggest this could potentially hinder their future development. So, what's the solution when we need a brief respite from the constant cycle of entertaining and educating our little ones? The only sensible proposal that springs to mind is to make more informed decisions about the programmes they watch. Currently, one of my toddler's top picks is Peppa Pig. She's especially fond of the intro and theme tune, where each pig character snorts after introducing themselves. Despite her love for the show, I must admit, I've noticed a change in her behaviour since we started watching it. Intrigued, I turned to the internet to see if others had similar experiences. On Reddit, I stumbled upon several parent-led discussions advocating Bluey over Peppa Pig. Having watched both shows with my toddler, I wholeheartedly agree with their observations. While both animations share a 2D style and bear similarities, their content is markedly different. This, I believe, is where Peppa Pig's creators have fallen short. One viewer pointed out that the plotlines often depict "unhealthy" dynamics, even highlighting an "antagonising relationship" between Peppa Pig and her father, who is depicted as a somewhat "bumbling idiot" and frequently ridiculed by his own family. Some argued that Peppa doesn't face "adequate repercussions for her misbehaviour", criticising the show for its "little to no emotional depth, with morality lessons being particularly lacking in subtlety or insight". Another gripe I personally noted was the exaggerated reaction when a character says or does something daft. The response is invariably everyone collapsing in laughter, which isn't a typical human reaction for our youngsters to observe. I've also noticed parents on various platforms voicing concerns about Peppa's conduct in certain episodes, worried that their children might imitate her "bad manners." Conversely, Bluey appears to makeup for all the elements that Peppa Pig falls short on. The Disney+ series showcases a greater degree of thoughtfulness and realistic family dialogues and relationships. Discussions are handled sensitively, with both mum and dad engaging in parenting conversations with their two offspring. The programme aims to foster healthy family interactions, emotional intelligence, personal development, adaptive learning behaviours, and credible relationships. For all these reasons, I've decided to turn off Peppa Pig and am now steering my two year old towards watching Bluey instead. Peppa Pig is viewable on channel 5 and can be streamed via Netflix, BBC iPlayer and more, while Bluey is free to watch on BBC iPlayer and can be streamed for a fee on Disney + and Amazon Prime
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Can these fruits and beverages lower blood pressure? New study says they may be as effective as medication
In a breakthrough that blurs the line between medicine and mealtime, a new study led by Professor Christian Heiss from the University of Surrey has revealed that certain flavan-3-ol-rich foods — including apples, grapes, tea, and cocoa — may be powerful allies in managing blood pressure . Published findings, reported by Surrey Live , detail the potential of these naturally occurring plant compounds in improving vascular health . 'The results suggest these everyday compounds may have real potential for protecting heart health ,' Professor Heiss said. Flavan-3-ols , known for giving fruits and vegetables their vibrant colours and protective functions in nature, appear to play an equally protective role in the human body — especially the heart. Found abundantly in cocoa, green and black tea, apples, grapes, and berries , these compounds could make everyday dietary choices far more consequential than we thought. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Turn everyday drives into standout moments. Toyota Glanza Learn More Undo A Prescription off the Pharmacy The revelation comes after the review of 145 randomised controlled trials involving more than 5,200 participants. Researchers focused on the effects of flavan-3-ols on blood pressure and vascular function. Participants in the studies consumed about 586 mg of flavan-3-ols daily — roughly the equivalent of two to three cups of tea, a couple of apples, or a small serving of dark chocolate. The outcome? A measurable dip in blood pressure. On average, participants saw a 2.8 mmHg drop in systolic (upper) and a 2.0 mmHg drop in diastolic (lower) blood pressure. In those with elevated readings, the effect was even more pronounced — with reductions of up to 6–7 mmHg systolic and 4 mmHg diastolic. You Might Also Like: Harvard doctor's 'best' natural fix for high blood pressure might already be in your kitchen 'That's comparable to the effects of some prescription blood pressure medications,' Professor Heiss noted. 'And it could significantly lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.' Food as Medicine, Without the Hype Perhaps the most comforting part of this discovery is its simplicity. While health trends often push expensive powders or exotic imports, this research champions common, affordable foods — items many people already have in their kitchens. 'This isn't about exotic superfoods,' Heiss clarified. 'It's about foods many of us already enjoy, used a little more intentionally.' Even minor changes, such as replacing a sugary snack with an apple or a square of dark chocolate, could help tip the scales toward better heart health. Notably, the 2022 COSMOS trial (Cocoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study), which tracked over 21,000 participants, found that cocoa flavanols alone reduced deaths from cardiovascular disease by 27%. These findings give real weight to the idea that nutrition can rival pharmacology in impact. You Might Also Like: This morning symptom can be high blood pressure hiding in plain sight, experts warn A Gentle Reminder to Listen to Your Body Heiss and his team also stress that this isn't a one-size-fits-all miracle. While the results are promising, particularly for those with high blood pressure, flavan-3-ols aren't a replacement for medication in every case. Their greatest value may lie in prevention — helping those with normal readings maintain good cardiovascular health over time. And while side effects were rare and mild, usually just minor digestive discomfort, Heiss suggests keeping an eye on how your body responds. Regular at-home blood pressure checks can help track improvements and fine-tune your diet accordingly. Shifting the Plate Speaking to The Conversation, Heiss emphasized a broader message that many healthcare providers echo: 'Lifestyle changes, particularly diet and exercise, are recommended by doctors as first-line strategies.' Yet too often, patients are left without specifics. Now, this research fills that gap — showing that with just a few mindful swaps in the kitchen, the heart can be nourished, protected, and strengthened. You Might Also Like: Whole plant-based proteins can slash high blood pressure risk, but new study reveals a crucial catch As we look for ways to live longer and healthier, perhaps the answer isn't in an expensive supplement or a complicated regimen. Maybe it's been in our fruit bowl, teacup, and pantry all along. Disclaimer- This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult a medical professional for advice tailored to your individual needs.
