Sir Lenny Henry is a key face of Comic Relief, having founded the charity in 1985 alongside Richard Curtis.
He announced earlier this year he’d be hosting the event for the last time this month, and has reflected on the decades of being involved with the charity, admitting there are certain things he'd "not be able to do these days".
Henry, 65, looked back on the memorable moments he shared with audiences while hosting the now annual event.
However, attitudes towards some of the comedy used in years gone by has changed given today's emphasis on political correctness.
When asked about the 1997 moment he serenaded Delia Smith, he replied: “Oh yes, I sang Love Chef to Delia.
“You would not be able to do any of this stuff these days. It was really rude and hip-wiggly, but always with the immense respect from Lenny inside it all.
Henry talked about 'serenading' Smith in 1997
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“Of course, when you are wearing a two-ton codpiece it’s pretty difficult. I look back on that and go, ‘Wow. Really, Len? Really?’”
Speaking to Radio Times, he went on to give his thoughts about how Comic Relief has evolved throughout the years.
“When it was just me, Griff [Rhys Jones] and Jonathan [Ross] behind desks and then in bed together at the end, it was such a long night,” he recalled, adding: “Since they’ve split it up, it’s much better.”
Henry told the publication how “proud” he is to have worked for the charity. Since its television debut, donations have surpassed £1.5billion, with funds going towards tackling poverty and providing food and care to people in the UK and around the globe.
Henry co-founded the charity in 1985
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When he announced his departure from the show in January this year, Henry explained how it was time to hand over the gig to a new generation.
“I'm not going to be hosting any more Comic Reliefs after this," he said while speaking on BBC Breakfast.
The comedy legend continued: “There's all these new, wonderful comedians with podcasts and nine million followers, and those guys or women should be hosting Comic Relief now so that the young people and the new influx of viewers can plug into the next stage of Comic Relief.
“Because there will be a next stage, and because we want to continue tackling issues of poverty and injustice.
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Henry said he is 'proud' to have been involved with the charity
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"It's time to hand over the reins, as it were.” The BBC has confirmed this year's events include a comedy night as well as new sketches from Henry and several others, with more big names getting involved, such as Dame Joan Collins and Simon Cowell.
The 2023 show saw £34m raised, and marked the first time in the show's history Henry didn't host as the main presenter.
Elsewhere, one of Henry’s more recent projects was collaborating with Russel T Davies as creator and executive producer for Three Little Birds, an ITV drama inspired by his mother’s stories.
He told Radio Times it had been an “inspirational” experience.
