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Lenny Henry, 66, says humour was his ‘sword and shield’ while battling racist bullying in his childhood because it encouraged others to ‘protect him’

BBG News

As a die-hard admirer, let me share that Lenny Henry himself confided that humor served as his ‘barricade’ against the cruel jabs of racists in his youth. This tactic, you see, prompted others to rally around and safeguard him.

As a passionate admirer sharing insights, I recently found myself immersed in a captivating conversation with a comedian, now 66 years old. In this enlightening exchange, he delved into his personal journey growing up in Dudley, shedding light on the trials and tribulations of navigating Britain during its tumultuous period of division in the mid-1960s – a time I refer to as the ‘maelstrom’.

In an interview with The Sunday Times’ Culture Magazine, Lenny explained that a significant portion of his resistance against racism stemmed from his late mother, Winifred.

I was informed that upon arriving in the UK as part of the Windrush Generation, Winifrid herself experienced vile remarks hurled at her on the streets.

During that period, black kids residing in Dudley were often encouraged to venture out in twos as a precaution against the potential racial harassment they faced.

The atmosphere grew tense as Conservative politician Enoch Powell made his controversial speech on immigration in Birmingham, a talk that was heavily criticized and led to accusations of inciting racial prejudice.

However, Lenny mentioned that he discovered humor served as a shield against the mistreatment. He explained to the publication: “During this tumultuous period, we didn’t realize it when we were children. We simply tended towards people who liked us or wanted to be close to us.

In tough situations, my humor turned out to be my protective barrier and quick response. I could divert hostility with a witty comment. A time came when I was being bullied by another child, but then I began to joke about the absurdity of us wrestling like married couples on the floor. This sparked laughter among others, and all of a sudden, they started to value me more.

Even though I was still getting into trouble, I had companions who shielded me. By the age of 12, I had three friends, all of whom were white – Greg, Mac, and Tom. To this day, I am still acquainted with them, and they played a significant role in my life. They not only supported me but also inspired me to be humorous.

During the interview, Lenny also pondered over his bond with his deceased mother, who passed away in 1998. He mentioned that he continues to seek help through ‘mourning counseling’ following her demise.

Expressing his personal experiences with mental health issues, the lead actor of Broadchurch noted a positive shift in recent years, where individuals are more willing to acknowledge when they require assistance. This openness has been uplifting for him following the tragic losses of multiple friends due to suicide.

Recently, Lenny, who has been featured in the play “Every Brilliant Thing” at London’s Soho Place, suggested there might be a comeback for him in the world of stand-up comedy following a 15-year break during which he concentrated on his acting career.

In conversation with The Mirror, Lenny expressed that it had been some time since he last returned, but he has plans underway.

He suggested that his upcoming work may blend old and new elements, and hinted at the possibility of bringing back some beloved characters from The Lenny Henry Show, like Theophilus P. Wildebeeste and Delbert Wilkins, along with some contemporary creations.

He mentioned: “I seem to enjoy incorporating characters into my speech, and while it’s the 21st century, I’d like to experiment with a fresh approach.

In a similar vein, the humorist shared thoughts on handling modern comedy, stating, “Feel free to express whatever comes to mind, but always be sure to censor yourself. Trouble arises when one fails to exercise self-control over their speech.

Initially, Sir Lenny gained recognition through appearances on programs such as Tiswas and by serving as the opening act for comedy legends Morecambe and Wise.

Lately, he has garnered praise for his acting performances, with a notable role in Harlan Coben’s popular Netflix series “Missing You” this past year.

As Lenny prepares for his return, he expressed that societal and political shifts inspire him, likening the abundance of topics to a vast buffet or smorgasbord.

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2025-07-27 12:03

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