Lenny Henry

The National Television Awards have announced ahead of tonight's ceremony that this year's Special Recognition Award will go to Sir Lenny Henry, ...

Throughout his career he has campaigned for greater diversity and equality in the entertainment industry, as well as playing a key role in the formation of Comic Relief. His own sketch comedy show started airing in 1984 and more recently he has been seen starring in Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and in a small role in Netflix's The Sandman. The NTAs will be from 8pm at The OVO Arena Wembley tonight, and will be broadcast live on ITV and ITV Hub.

Sir Lenny Henry is a well known stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. His real name that he doesn't use professionally is Lenworth George Henry.

Confirmed Good Friday and Easter Monday dates for 2023](https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/easter-bank-holiday-confirmed-good-25254669) This led to him getting his own comedy series, The [Lenny Henry](https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/tv/masked-singer-blob-lenny-henry-19641268) Show, and becoming the most prominent Black British comedian of his time. Later, in 2016, Lenny was linked to Lisa Makin. The star will now be honoured for his almost 50-year career at National Television Awards tonight. Lenny Henry has been in a relationship with theatre producer and casting director Lisa Makin since 2012. He also received a knighthood from the Queen at Windsor Castle in 2015, making his full name Sir Lenworth George Henry CBE and was handed a

Sir Lenny Henry will receive his award at the NTA's, which will be aired on ITV from 8pm on Thursday October 13.

“There’s a picture of me in an inflatable rubber crown and my eyes are crossed. Advertisement [Birmingham](/topic/birmingham)-born [Sir Lenny Henry](https://lennyhenry.net/) is to be presented with a special award at the National Television Awards.

National Television Awards will recognise Henry's near 50-year career in entertainment.

[Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. [The programme uses a diverse cast with several non-white actors](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/lord-of-the-rings-rings-of-power-lenny-henry-b2157449.html) to tell the prequel story; a choice that Henry has praised. [In 2020, he spoke out on the future of the BBC](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/lenny-henry-bbc-chair-charles-moore-diversity-b689675.html), declaring his hope that the next chair of the organisation would recognise “the importance of diversity, inclusion and representation both in front and behind the camera.” [closing for most categories closes at noon](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/ntas-2022-how-to-vote-winners-b2201831.html), the highly coveted Special Recognition Award is decided by a panel in advance.

A short clip was shown during the ceremony which highlighted his lengthy career and charity work for Comic Relief. Sir Lenny looked visibly emotional as he ...

Simply [click here](https://data.reachplc.com/213222873338859) to subscribe and stay up to date with all the latest from across the city and wider West Midlands. His emotional speech saw him reflect on his career graciously before he left the stage to another round of applause. [acceptance speech](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/martin-lewis-praised-savage-dig-25258495) from Lenny Henry about the power of inclusivity and diverse voices on television. Alesha Dixon and Mo Gilligan were among the stars who paid tribute to him. [Respect for saying](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/itv-national-television-awards-viewers-25258614) what he said about David beckham lol." [Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield booed as ITV This Morning wins NTA](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/holly-willoughby-phillip-schofield-booed-25258687)

The National Television Awards have announced ahead of tonight's ceremony that this year's Special Recognition Award will go to Sir Lenny Henry.

[subscribe now](http://radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription?utm_term=evergreen-article) and get the next 12 issues for only £1. Throughout his career he has campaigned for greater diversity and equality in the entertainment industry, as well as playing a key role in the formation of Comic Relief. [Heartstopper](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/heartstopper-season-2-release-date-netflix/), [This is Going to Hurt](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/this-going-hurt-season-2-release-date/), [Call the Midwife](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/call-the-midwife-season-12-release-date/) and [Peaky Blinders](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/peaky-blinders-season-7-release-cancelled-newsupdate/) are all in contention. [TV Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/) or visit our [Entertainment](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/) hub for all the latest news. [Amazon](https://www.radiotimes.com/streaming/amazon-prime-video/)'s [The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/lord-of-the-rings-tv-series-release-date-amazon/), and in a small role in [Netflix](https://www.radiotimes.com/streaming/netflix/)'s [The Sandman](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/sandman-season-2-release-date/). For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the [Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast](https://www.radiotimes.com/audio/podcasts/). Last year it was awarded to BBC smash hit show [postponed](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/ntas-2022-rescheduled-newsupdate/) following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. [terms and conditions](https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/) and [privacy policy](https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/). [Line of Duty](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/line-of-duty-season-7-release-date/). [NTAs](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/national-television-awards-2022-date/) will be from 8pm at The OVO Arena Wembley tonight (Thursday 13th October), and will be broadcast live on ITV and ITV Hub. [Subscribe to Radio Times magazine and get 12 issues for £1](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/radio-times-magazine-subscription?promo=RTBPL22&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=radiotimes.com&utm_campaign=fixed-article_rtbpl22&utm_content=promotional-link&utm_style=brand)

As Lenny Henry picks up a special recognition award from the NTAs, find out all you need to know about the star's love life.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2012, Lenny revealed that he didn't find the process of getting divorced particularly difficult, and also added that it had made him closer to his daughter Billie. In 1991, the couple adopted their daughter Billie, however, Lenny and Dawn decided to go their separate ways after 25 years of marriage in 2010, divorcing later that year. She’s very bright and sparky, so I miss her now she’s not here.

A video montage of his work across the years was played during the ceremony at the OVO Arena Wembley in London.

“This is a time for people like us to be together, to be allies, telling all kinds of stories and leaving no one behind. The best television allows us to walk a mile in other people’s shoes to understand their lived experience to feel empathy.” I was a kids TV presenter who got to sing with Kate Bush, and I did get picked for a brilliant team, one that raised over a billion pounds for Comic Relief. He continued: “I’m a black guy from Dudley who got to do Shakespeare. So I didn’t get to play. So all I can do is tip my dreads to him.”