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Comic Relief co-founder Lenny Henry is set to receive a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours it has been announced.
The comedian and Comic Relief Trustee has dedicated it to the many people who have donated money to the charity over the last 30 years.
“This is not just for me, this is for everyone who has done something for Comic Relief,” he said.
“Every person who has helped us raise £1 billion and for everyone who works at Comic Relief, this is for you too,” he added.
Lenny, aged 56, has been involved in every Red Nose Day night of TV since 1988 and was honoured with a CBE by the Queen in 1999.
Speaking of his honour he said: "It is a wonderful thing. My family are absolutely chuffed and my friends have not stopped congratulating me.
“I’d like to thank everyone for being so generous and so kind. It is an extraordinary thing and I am absolutely thrilled.”
Lenny has played a key role at Comic Relief, most recently hosting Red Nose Day 2015 on BBC One in March and visiting various projects in the UK and Africa. He has been praised by Comic Relief’s Kevin Cahill.
“You can’t think of Comic Relief without thinking of Lenny Henry. He has made extraordinary commitments to Red Nose Day since it began,” Kevin said.
“He is one of the best known and loved personalities in public life and the knighthood could not have been awarded to a nicer human being,” he added.
“Everyone at Comic Relief is incredibly proud that Lenny’s work as an entertainer and passionate worker for charity has being recognised and we congratulate him on his knighthood.”
He said that Lenny has been tireless in his efforts to raise awareness and encourage the public to raise money to tackle the issue of extreme poverty.
The Queen’s birthday honours recognise the achievements of extraordinary people and this years’ recipients also include singer Van Morrison and Welsh rugby legend Gareth Edwards.
In total 1,163 people around the UK have received an award including MBEs, OBEs and BEMs (British Empire Medal).
