Lenny Henry confirms he is to leave Comic Relief after 40 years

Lenny Henry is set to host his final Comic Relief telethon this year. The comedian, who co-founded the charity with director Richard Curtis in 1985, has been closely associated with the organisation, hosting multiple BBC telethons. Henry expressed that it's time for "new faces" to take the helm but will continue as the life president of Comic Relief. Red Nose Day, an annual telethon aimed at raising funds for various charities, features comedians, singers, and actors.

Reflecting on the journey since the inception of Comic Relief, Henry, an actor and comedian, acknowledged that he never anticipated the charity's longevity. Despite initially thinking they would only do three shows, nearly 40 years later, the commitment to helping others remains unwavering. Henry, who recently launched his Banijay-backed indie, Esmerelda Productions, is known for his acting roles in The Witcher and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and for creating the ITV drama Three Little Birds.

In his role as life president, 65-year-old Henry expressed excitement about seeing new and familiar faces taking on the responsibility of presenting the telethon and leading Comic Relief into the next chapter.

“When we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed we’d still be here today,” Henry explained about his decision. "I thought we’d probably do three shows and that would be it, but fast-forward nearly 40 years, and that enthusiasm and determination to step up and help others has never wavered. As life president of Comic Relief, I’m excited to see some new and familiar faces come forward now to present the big night and lead us into the next chapter.”

When is Comic Relief 2024?

Red Nose Day will take place on March 15 but include a comedy night at the London Palladium on February 26. Alongside Henry, Aisling Bea, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Joel Dommett, Mawaan Rizwan, Rosie Jones and Sara Pascoe will appear. A brand-new plant-based Red Nose range guaranteed to raise smiles as well as life changing money is available now with free one-day delivery for all customers on Amazon, the official home of the Red Nose.