Why Did Lenny Henry and Dawn French Divorce? Learn More About Lenny Henry and Dawn French's Marital Life
by P Nandhini
Updated Oct 27, 2023
Why Did Lenny Henry and Dawn French Divorce?
Lenny Henry and Dawn French divorced because they both felt that their marriage couldn't continue. Over time, they both realized that they couldn't stay together. While they haven't given specific reasons for their divorce, they have said that it was a mutual decision. Despite the divorce, they still share a close friendship and prioritize raising their daughter together.
They transitioned from a happy marriage to a lasting friendship. They have both moved on with their lives, with Dawn finding love with Mark Bignell, a charity executive, whom she married in 2013. Lenny Henry has been in a long-term relationship with Lisa Makin, a theatre director, since 2013. While their marriage ended, both Lenny and Dawn have found happiness in new relationships.
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Who is Lenny Henry?
Lenny Henry is a well-known British actor, comedian, singer, television presenter, and writer. He gained fame as a stand-up comedian and impressionist in the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly through his show "The Lenny Henry Show" in 1984. Lenny Henry was a prominent black British comedian, known for celebrating and playfully mocking his African-Caribbean heritage in his comedy. He co-founded the charity Comic Relief in 1985, alongside comedy screenwriter Richard Curtis.
Throughout his career, he appeared in various TV programs, including "Tiswas," "Chef!," and "The Magicians" for BBC One. In more recent years, he transitioned into acting roles on stage and screen, even appearing in the Amazon Prime series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Lenny Henry is also known for being the chancellor of Birmingham City University. In addition to his entertainment career, Lenny Henry has been an advocate for increasing ethnic diversity in British television programs.
He has openly criticized the lack of representation and diversity on TV and has used his platform to raise awareness about the issue. In 2007, he obtained a BA Hons degree in English Literature from The Open University, followed by an MA in Screenwriting for TV and Film from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2010. He continued his academic journey and earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree on the role of black people in the media. Lenny Henry's dedication to both his entertainment career and his advocacy for diversity in media has made him a notable figure in the British entertainment industry.
Full Name
Lenworth George Henry
Date of Birth
August 29, 1958
Place of Birth
Dudley, West Midlands, England
Nationality
British
Occupations
Actor, Comedian, Singer, Presenter, Writer
Years Active
1975–present
Spouse
Dawn French (m. 1984; div. 2010)
Children
1 (adopted daughter named Billie)
Who is Dawn French?
Dawn French is a well-known British actress, comedian, presenter, and writer. She is particularly famous for her work on the BBC comedy sketch show "French and Saunders," where she collaborated with her comedy partner, Jennifer Saunders. She also played the lead role as Geraldine Granger in the popular BBC sitcom "The Vicar of Dibley." Over the years, Dawn French has received recognition for her talent, including being nominated for seven BAFTA TV Awards and receiving a BAFTA Fellowship in 2009, which she shared with Jennifer Saunders.
Beyond her entertainment career, Dawn French is known for her involvement in supporting various causes and organizations. She was named the Chancellor of Falmouth University in 2014 and has shown her support for the Labour Party during the 2010 general election and Keir Starmer during the 2020 Labour leadership election. Dawn French's career and personal life have made her a beloved figure in British entertainment and society, known for her humor and contributions to the world of comedy.
Lenny Henry (m. 1984; div. 2010)
Mark Bignell (m. 2013)
Full Name
Dawn Roma French
Date of Birth
October 11, 1957
Place of Birth
Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, UK
Nationality
British
Education
Central School of Speech and Drama
Occupations
Actress, Comedian, Presenter, Writer
Years Active
1981–present
Spouses
Children
1 (adopted daughter named Billie)
Lenny Henry Career
Lenny Henry has had a diverse and successful career in the world of entertainment. He first rose to fame as a stand-up comedian and impressionist in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His breakthrough moment came with "The Lenny Henry Show" in 1984, where he showcased his comedic talents and celebrated his African-Caribbean roots. During this time, he became the most prominent black British comedian of his era.
In addition to his work as a comedian, Lenny Henry has made significant contributions to television and charity. He co-founded the charity Comic Relief in 1985, which has raised millions of pounds to support various charitable causes. He also ventured into acting, appearing in numerous TV programs such as "Tiswas," "Chef!," and "The Magicians."
Later in his career, he made the transition to acting roles on both stage and screen, including a role in the Amazon Prime series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Throughout his career, Lenny Henry has been an outspoken critic of the lack of ethnic diversity on British television, advocating for more representation and diversity in the industry. His multi-faceted career has made him a respected and influential figure in the world of entertainment.
Dawn French Career
Dawn French has enjoyed a successful and diverse career in the world of entertainment. She is widely recognized for her comedic talents and is best known for her collaboration with Jennifer Saunders on the BBC comedy sketch show "French and Saunders." Together, they created hilarious and memorable sketches that entertained audiences for years. Additionally, Dawn French played a significant role as the lead character, Geraldine Granger, in the beloved BBC sitcom "The Vicar of Dibley." Her performance in the show earned her accolades and a dedicated fan following.
Beyond her work in comedy, Dawn French has received acclaim for her contributions to the entertainment industry. She was nominated for multiple BAFTA TV Awards and received a BAFTA Fellowship in 2009, which she shared with Jennifer Saunders. Over the years, French has been involved in various charitable causes and organizations. Her career extends to presenting and writing, and she has been named the Chancellor of Falmouth University in 2014. Dawn French's talent and dedication to comedy have made her a cherished figure in the world of British entertainment, and her impact goes beyond just making people laugh.
Lenny Henry and Dawn French's Marital Life
Dawn French and Lenny Henry got married in a lavish ceremony on October 20, 1984. The wedding took place in Covent Garden, London, and it was a memorable celebration. The couple's wedding was a significant event, with all the elements of a traditional ceremony, including a big church, reception, formal attire, friends and family in attendance, and even a big disco to conclude the festivities. Their marriage marked the beginning of a 25-year journey together as a couple.
Their wedding was a grand affair, and Lenny Henry, in particular, emphasized the importance of having a proper, traditional wedding. He believed that if they were not going to get married in a big, celebratory way with all the trimmings, then it might not be worth doing it at all. The wedding was a special moment for them as they embarked on their married life together, but their marriage eventually came to an end, and they divorced in 2010. Despite the divorce, both Lenny Henry and Dawn French have moved on with their lives and maintained a strong friendship.
Lenny Henry and Dawn French Daughter
Lenny Henry and Dawn French adopted a daughter named Billie during their marriage. Billie became an integral part of their lives, and they raised her as their own. Even after their divorce in 2010, Lenny and Dawn continued to prioritize their close friendship and the joint parenting of their daughter.
Despite the changes in their own relationship, Lenny Henry and Dawn French maintained their roles as parents and continued to be there for their daughter, Billie.
Why Did Lenny Henry and Dawn French Divorce? - FAQs
Lenny Henry and Dawn French got married on October 20, 1984.
Lenny Henry and Dawn French divorced because they both felt that their marriage couldn't continue. It was a mutual decision, and they still share a close friendship.
Lenny Henry is a British actor, comedian, singer, television presenter, and writer known for his stand-up comedy and charitable work, including co-founding Comic Relief.
Dawn French is a British actress, comedian, presenter, and writer. She is famous for her work with Jennifer Saunders and her role in "The Vicar of Dibley."
Lenny Henry and Dawn French adopted daughter is Billie.