18:20 09 June 2015
Lenny Henry is set to become Sir Lenny Henry based on reports that he will receive a knighthood in the Queen’s birthday honours. The comedian and actor said he was “very chuffed” about the honour, which was first reported in the press at the weekend.
Speaking to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday, he said: "It's not something you think about really when you grow up in Dudley. But it's a fantastic thing,"
He added: "I'm being pummelled from all sides by my family, saying, 'Do we get some land? Do we get a castle now? Do we get 100 men in plate armour following us around Dudley?'
"I'm very pleased. And my mum would have loved it.
"It is a wonderful thing and my family are really, really chuffed. My friends have not stopped ringing up and saying congratulations. It is an extraordinary thing and I'm very chuffed."
Henry became famous when he starred on TV talent show New Faces in 1975. He then appeared in children’s favourite Tiswas and sketch shows including Three of a Kind and his own long-running Lenny Henry Show.