Sir Lenny Henry kicked off the 2024 Comic Relief telethon - which is his last.
The 65-year-old comedy legend has hosted the BBC show for almost 40 years but is stepping away from the Comic Relief spotlight after the 2024 show. A host of stars joined him to preside over the show on Friday night - with David Tennant, Davina McCall and Joel Dommett among the stars helping the comedy legend helm the show.
Sir Lenny himself had previously explained that he felt the time was right to hand over the baton to a new group of comedy stars to oversee the show. He originally hosted the show alongside ex-wife Dawn French and explained on her podcast: "We were like a little gang. But for a few years I’ve felt, 'Where’s the new gang?' [Comic Relief] is a baton to be handed on to a new group of people who are going to take on Comic Relief."
The show on Friday night addressed the fact that Sir Lenny would be bowing out of the charity event. Davina, 56, said: “Tonight really is about Lenny.” And David, 52, said: “And quite frankly it’s time we addressed the elephant in the room….”
Taking offence, Sir Lenny joked: “Are you saying I’m fat?” David then went on: “I am referring of course to the fact to tonight being the last time Lenny will host the show, ladies and gentlemen. It’s been an amazing tour of duty. He did his first show in 1988 and together you, the audience and Lenny have raised over one and a half billion pounds and have changed lives of over 100 million people.”
Sir Lenny then said: “Listen, thank you. I don’t make too much fuss. It’s been an honour and a joy. It’s about the mirth and the money, the comedy and compassion.” And Davina added: “On behalf of all of us here tonight in the audience and the nation, you are 100 per cent totally and utterly irreplaceable.” Viewers were shocked to learn Sir Lenny was quitting the long-running charity event.
One fan wrote on X: "Aw wow, I didn’t realise @LennyHenry was leaving the hosting role of #ComicRelief . The end of an era, for sure! #RedNoseDay." Another typed: "It’s still bugging me that Lenny didn’t choose to retire from Comic Relief after 40yrs, choosing to go after 39yrs just annoys me because it’s not a nice whole number #RND2024 #ComicRelief."
A further fan wrote: "It's All About Lenny! #RND2024 #ComicRelief #RedNoseDay." And another fan passionately wrote: "Being funny for money and supporting #RedNoseDay2024 on @BBCOne. A *huge* thank you and best of luck to Sir @LennyHenry who has done wonders for this event, helped raise millions over the years to support children in need in the UK and around the world."
Later in the show, Sir Lenny was reduced to tears as he watched archive footage of some of his past trips to Africa to help those in need - and was then sent messages from those he helped in the past as they are today. Among those returning to the telethon to thank Sir Lenny for his work was Aberash from Ethiopia - who Sir Lenny met in the 1995 where she was battling health issues caused by HIV and her young son was desperately trying to help her.
Aberash recalled Sir Lenny had made her son bread and was thrilled to re-introduce him to the star, showing he is now an adult himself. Crying at the scenes, Sir Lenny said: "They survived because of everybody, mums, cab drivers, cub scouts all donating" Of seeing Aberash and her son again, he gasped: "I am speechless, thank you so much for organising this."
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