Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry discusses 'regret' as he admits people need to 'move on'

This Morning: Lenny Henry shares regret over jokes

Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry has expressed his regrets despite enjoying a lengthy and successful career in the world of comedy. He made an appearance on ITV's This Morning on Thursday, November 14 to promote his new TV series, Legends of Comedy With Lenny Henry.

The four-part Channel 4 programme sees him exploring the careers and inspirations of his comedic idols. While chatting with This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Dermot O'Leary, he discussed how the landscape of comedy has evolved over time, and how what was once deemed acceptable in comedy is no longer so.

Sir Lenny, who rose to stardom following an appearance on the TV show New Faces as a teenager in the '70s, said: "I started off as a 16-year-old copying people I'd seen on the television so I told racist jokes about myself and when I watch it now I go I wish I hadn't done that.

"But actually if wishes were horses beggars would rise, so now you've got to learn from the mistakes you've made and move on into the future and try and get better role models," reports the Mirror.

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Sir Lenny chatting to Dermot O'Leary and Cat Deeley (Image: ITV)

In his latest TV series, which kicks off on Saturday, November 16, Sir Lenny draws inspiration from comedy role models and interviews the likes of Paul Whitehouse, Sally Phillips, Romesh Ranganathan and Alexei Sayle.

The series begins with a profile on Whitehouse and also features some of his favourite comedies from other creators, including The Royle Family, Alan Partridge, Catherine Tate and Victoria Wood.

Thursday's instalment of This Morning also saw a discussion on the 2024 John Lewis Christmas advert. An emotional Dermot O'Leary confessed "I cried" upon viewing the poignant two-minute clip titled The Gifting Hour, which captures the last-minute Christmas shopping frenzy as a woman searches for the perfect present for her sister.

Sir Lenny's new series sees him meet his comedy heroes (Image: Sir Lenny's new series sees him meet his comedy heroes)

This year marks a first in the 17-year history of iconic John Lewis Christmas narratives by featuring one of its 34 shops, specifically the flagship on Oxford Streettransformed following a multi-million pound refurbishment earlier in the year. Filming took place during a nocturnal shoot this past October.

Aptly set within the festively decked department store, the Saatchi & Saatchi crafted commercial highlights Sally's race against time to find that special gift.

This Morning is on ITV1 weekdays at 10am and on ITVX

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Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry discusses 'regret' as he admits people need to 'move on'

Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry discusses 'regret' as he admits people need to 'move on'

Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry discusses 'regret' as he admits people need to 'move on'

Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry discusses 'regret' as he admits people need to 'move on'

Comedy icon Sir Lenny Henry discusses 'regret' as he admits people need to 'move on'