Sir Lenny Henry to host Comic Relief for final time this year

‘I never dreamed we’d still be here today’ … Sir Lenny Henry poses for Red Nose Day 2024. Photograph: Comic Relief/Rebecca Naen

Sir Lenny Henry is to host Comic Relief for the last time when it airs on the BBC in March. After presenting the comedy telethon on and off for 39 years, he is stepping away to give opportunities to a wider range of talent.

“When we first started Comic Relief back in 1985, I never dreamed we’d still be here today,” said Henry. “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.