Leigh Francis has sparked concerns that he may never return to TV following recent career backlash.
The star, 52, is a household name thanks to his unique sense of humour and hit television shows.
Despite reports, it appears that he may have felt disheartened by the criticism he encountered and the frequent obscuring of his real self behind his Keith Lemon character, as per The Sun.
On a recent Instagram Live, Leigh stated that he doesn’t have a specific date for his return to television, as he recently declined an offer and it’s been quite some time since he proposed ideas for new TV shows.
‘If I do and someone likes it then I’ll be back but if I don’t, I won’t.’
Regarding potential future endeavors, Leigh has no plans for a comeback of Through The Keyhole but hinted at the possibility of creating additional comedy skits instead.
Despite this, he acknowledged feeling dismayed by the criticism that frequently arises when his drawings upset others.
He warned that if you might find it offensive, it would be best not to watch. However, he wasn’t keen on having an in-depth discussion about it.
Daily Mail has contacted Leigh’s representative for comment.
Previously this year, Leigh expressed that he has no regrets regarding his contentious actions portrayed through his TV characters, and discussed potential modifications he might have made in his previous performances.
The stand-up comic gained fame through his television series Bo Selecta. However, this series was removed from Channel 4’s online platform in 2020 due to concerns about its depiction of famous black personalities like Craig David and Trisha Goddard.
After the passing of George Floyd and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, Leigh expressed heartfelt apologies for any distress caused and admitted that he hadn’t fully understood the offensiveness of his past actions.
During a conversation on the Who We Are Now with Izzy & Richard Hammond podcast, Leigh expressed that he doesn’t regret his past actions, yet if he could, he might alter some aspects of it.
In my perspective, I prefer to skip the preamble and address the heart of the matter directly. When someone asks, “Have there been actions from my past that I wish I could take back?” My response is always a resounding no. However, if given the chance, I would likely modify certain choices I made.
Leigh mentioned that the rules of comedy have shifted significantly since his initial rise to stardom, making him more cautious in his methodology.
He mentioned: “At that time, you weren’t aware of the rules, and you followed them as they were, since nobody seemed concerned about your actions. However, the rules have since evolved.
‘So you would do it different now, because, you know, some people might be upset by things.’
Over time, circumstances shift. Later on, when reflecting or discussing matters with friends, one might realize the need for an apology for past actions.
As a dedicated follower, I didn’t approach it with ill intentions or any notion of being edgy. Instead, we found ourselves drawn to the absurdity of it all. I wouldn’t defend Bo’ Selecta blindly, but I do feel remorse for those who felt offended by it.
Leigh further noted that, as a comic, audience members should remember not to overthink his humor, explaining humorously, “I’m more like a court fool than a king – my job is to entertain, bring laughter, and lighten the mood.
Please remember that I’m only pretending; after all, I’m not Keith Lemon, but an actor portraying a character.
Despite some individuals finding Keith Lemon offensive due to allegations of misogyny, it is essential to understand that laughter isn’t necessarily in solidarity with him. Instead, we are laughing at his antics, as he portrays a foolish character.
He speaks words that I would never utter. However, there are individuals who do express such sentiments, and I often find myself chuckling at their audacity.”
In this rephrased version, I attempted to maintain the original meaning while making it more polite and easier for readers to understand. The use of “chuckling” instead of “laughing at people” softens the tone, while avoiding using the phrase “horrendous things” as it might seem too harsh or offensive to some audiences.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Stocks stay snoozy as Moody’s drops U.S. credit—guess we’re all just waiting for the crash
- Bentley Delivers Largest Fleet of Bespoke Flying Spurs to Galaxy Macau
- Delta Force Best Settings and Sensitivity Guide
- Kingdom Rush Battles Tower Tier List
- ‘Australia’s Most Sexually Active Woman’ Annie Knight reveals her shock plans for the future – after being hospitalised for sleeping with 583 men in a single day
- Clash of Clans: How to beat the Fully Staffed Challenge
- Vampire’s Fall 2 redeem codes and how to use them (June 2025)
2025-09-04 02:48