Why is Lenny Henry quitting Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day after 39 years?

He co-founded the charity with Richard Curtis in 1985 and has been the face and frontman of Comic Relief ever since. But comedian Sir Lenny Henry will be fronting the show tonight (Friday) for the final time.

The 65-year-old announced earlier this year that he is stepping down from Red Nose Day and while he will no longer be presenting the iconic annual BBC show, he has said he will continue to support Comic Relief and Red Nose Day on other projects.

The actor, who has helped to raise over £1.5 billion for Comic Relief, has previously opened up about 'missing the gang' of fellow comics, who co-hosted the show with him in the eighties, including French and Saunders, Billy Connolly and the late Victoria Wood. According to the Mirror, he said: "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."

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In an official statement, Sir Lenny talked about his departure. He said: “When we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed we’d still be here today. 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.”

"Right now, we know there is a cost-of-living crisis and people are struggling, a lot of people are struggling here and around the world. But we also know that the British public are brilliant –