Latest news with #Winifred


Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lenny Henry, 66, says humour was his 'sword and shield' while battling racist bullying in his childhood because it encouraged others to 'protect him'
Lenny Henry has revealed he used humour as his 'shield' against racist bullies during his childhood, because it encouraged others to 'protect him.' The comedian, 66, opened up about his past growing up in Dudley in a new interview, where he detailed the challenges of being in the 'maelstrom' of divided Britain in the mid 1960s. Speaking to The Sunday Times' Culture Magazine, Lenny shared that much of his defence from racism came from his late mother Winifred. He said that Winifird herself had 'horrible things' shouted at her in the street after she migrated to the UK from Jamaica as part of the Windrush Generation. At the time, black children living in Dudley were advised to go out in pairs due to the fear of racist abuse they endured. Tensions were heightened when Conservative Enoch Powell delivered his much-criticised Rivers Of Blood speech about immigration in Birmingham, for which he was accused of stirring up racial hatred. But Lenny said he realised he could use his humour as a defence against the abuse, telling the publication: 'We were in the midst of this maelstrom, but you don't know that when you're kids. You just gravitate to people who like you, or want to snog you.' 'My humour became my sword and shield. I could deflect something with a joke. I was being beaten up by one kid when I started to talk about the ridiculousness of us rolling around on the floor like we were married. People started to laugh and suddenly people thought I was worth something. 'I was still punched, but I'd have people protecting me. I had three white friends by the time I was 12: Greg, Mac and Tom. I still know them today and they saved my life, really. They encouraged me to be funny.' In the interview, Lenny also reflected on his relationship with his late mother, who died in 1998, sharing he still goes to 'grief therapy' in the wake of her passing. Detailing his own mental health struggles, the Broadchurch star said he feels people have gotten better at admitting they 'need help' over the past decade, something he's encouraged after losing several friends to suicide. Earlier this year, Lenny who is currently starring in the play Every Brilliant Thing at London's Soho Place, hinted he may be making a return to stand-up comedy after a 15-year hiatus to focus on acting. Speaking about his return, Lenny told The Mirror: 'It's been a while, but there are plans in motion.' He hinted that his new material could include a mix of classic and fresh content and teased that some of his iconic characters from The Lenny Henry Show, such as Theophilus P. Wildebeeste and Delbert Wilkins, might make a reappearance alongside modern creations. He explained: 'It might just be me talking to the audience, but I love weaving in the characters. It's the 21st century, though, so I want to try something new.' The comedian also addressed concerns about navigating today's comedy landscape, saying: 'People can say anything they like, as long as they edit themselves. If you can't self-edit, that's when you're in trouble.' Sir Lenny first made his mark on shows like Tiswas and as a warm-up act for comedy greats Morecambe and Wise. More recently, he's earned acclaim for his acting, including a role in Harlan Coban's Netflix hit Missing You earlier this year. With his comeback on the horizon, Lenny said he's inspired by changes in society and politics, describing the current climate as 'a massive smorgasbord of subject matter.'


Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Shelter Cat Born With a 'Fluffy' Nose Finally Meets Her Family After Appeal
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A rescue cat with very quirky features has finally found a loving home, as internet users praise her for giving "Nanny McPhee vibes." Winifred the rescue feline, who is thought to be around 3 years old, was discovered outside by a cat caregiver in Chicago, Illinois. That individual, who works on Trap-Neuter-Return efforts in the local area, fostered Winifred until she could be added to the PAWS Chicago adoption program. Allison Wunder, the senior digital media manager at PAWS Chicago, a no-kill humane organization, told Newsweek that Winifred is "very affectionate and loving." However, the cat certainly has some distinctive features that make her stand out from the crowd. Winifred isn't like other felines, as she has "a fluffy nose" due to a dermoid on that part of her face, and she also has an extra canine tooth right in the middle of her upper gums that protrudes out. They are certainly adorable features and simply add to Winifred's individuality. From left: Winifred the rescue cat rests at PAWS Chicago. From left: Winifred the rescue cat rests at PAWS Chicago. @pawschicago / TikTok Indeed, Winifred bears a strong resemblance to Nanny McPhee, played by actress Emma Thompson in the 2005 children's movie. Wunder said: "She has a benign lump on top of her nose that is growing hair and even a couple of whiskers. This is cosmetic only and doesn't cause her any problems. Similar to her tooth, removing it would put her through unnecessary surgery and recovery. "She will roll around for pets, and her favorite toys are Ping-Pong balls. She is a really sweet, calm companion," Wunder added. The dermoid and the extra tooth don't impact Winifred in any way. She can still eat like normal, and she has a strong sense of smell. A video of the 'Nanny McPheeline' was shared on the PAWS Chicago TikTok account (@pawschicago) and it went viral with over 1.3 million views and more than 219,000 likes at the time of writing. The clip encouraged people to consider rescuing Winifred and to give her a second chance at life. In the days since the video was shared online, Winifred's furry nose and extra tooth have melted plenty of hearts. Internet users have become so obsessed with her, and the appeal has even helped her get adopted. Winifred is now in her forever home, and it is delightful that her quirky features didn't get in the way of her being truly loved. "The response on social was incredible; so many people commented to express their love for Winifred. A lot of people compared her to Nanny McPhee, too," Wunder said. The social-media attention has led to more than 2,100 comments on the viral TikTok post already. One comment reads: "she's giving Nanny McPhee, I'm sobbing." Another TikTok user wrote: "she's perfect & I hope her future family treats her like the queen she is." A third person replied: "extra tooth for extra treats." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.


Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Adorable' cat with quirky features finds love. ‘Would die for this creature'
If you look up the word 'cuties' in the dictionary, you might just see a picture of Winifred … and probably some mandarin oranges. The Illinois cat with the quirky facial features has been stealing hearts all over the internet. 'Winifred was born with some unique features, including a dermoid on her nose that makes it fluffy (there's even a couple whiskers growing from it) and an extra canine tooth right in the middle,' PAWSChicago said in a July 19 Instagram post. 'She's downright adorable.' The shelter also posted a video of probably the cutest black and white cat in the galaxy, who not only sported fierce looks but also stole some precious cuddles, which clearly she appreciated. Her facial features only heightened her snuggly nature. Of course, people in the comment section were obsessed. 'I would die for this creature,' one person wrote. 'That's a unicorn,' another observed. 'I will be waiting patiently for her Instagram to be created…' someone commented. 'She's so adorable, how (much) cuter a cat can even be omg,' one person said. The shelter wanted to make sure that these features did not affect Winifred's health in any way. 'These unexpected things don't impact Winifred's life, and are purely cosmetic. Removing them would make her go through an unnecessary surgery and recovery, and she's already perfect just the way she is,' the shelter said. It didn't take long for the beautiful girl to find a home. 'Update: Adopted!' the shelter noted in the post. For information on other adoptable pets, visit the shelter's website.