Sir Lenny Henry thinks the time is right for him to bow out as host of Comic Relief.

Sir Lenny Henry is bowing out as host of Comic Relief

Sir Lenny Henry is bowing out as host of Comic Relief

The 65-year-old comedian set up the charity alongside Richard Curtis back in 1985 but will host the Red Nose Day appeal for the final time on March 15 and is happy to be passing on the baton to new faces.

Lenny told the BBC: "I love Comic Relief and I've been doing it for 39 years. I'm a Life President of the charity and I'm still going to be supporting other Comic Relief and Red Nose Day projects throughout the year, like recruiting new talent, doing voiceovers etc. so I'll be around just not onscreen.

"I think it's time to hand over the reins because there is an extraordinary new generation of talent and we need to give these people and their audiences access to what Comic Relief can do and how we can raise money together."

Lenny will be joined for his final TV appeal by co-hosts including Joel Dommett, Davina McCall and Red Nose Day debutant Maya Jama and has promised a night full of "special surprises".

Asked why viewers should be watching this year, he said: "Because it's going to be chock-a-block full of content, all of your favourite presenters and loads of special surprises. It will probably be the best night of my life because it's my last year hosting and I know there's going to be loads of surprises. So, you have to tune in for that.

"Plus, all the incredible films that the brilliant team create and put so much hard work into. It's going to be a lot of fun."

'Comic Relief' airs on Friday 15 March across BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 7pm.

Tagged in