Sir Lenny Henry has been in a relationship with his famous girlfriend since 2012
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
08:00, 17 Apr 2026
Lenny Henry has a famous girlfriend(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Sir Lenny Henry is a much-loved comedian, actor, presenter and writer — but who is his famous girlfriend?
The 67-year-old first shot to fame as a stand-up comedian and impressionist during the late 1970s and early 1980s, going on to become the most prominent black British comedian of his generation.
In 1985, Lenny co-founded the charity Comic Relief alongside comedy screenwriter Richard Curtis. He has featured in a wide range of television productions, including the sitcom Chef! and hosting talent show The Magicians.
The star is now due to appear on ITV’s The Assembly, which features celebrities fielding questions from a group of young people who are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled. The official synopsis has confirmed that “no area is out of bounds”.
Ahead of Lenny’s episode broadcasting on ITV1 tonight (Friday, April 17) at 10.05pm, let’s take a closer look at his long-standing relationship with his very well-known girlfriend, reports the Mirror.
Lenny Henry is appearing on The Assembly(Image: ITV/Rockerdale Studios)
Who is Lenny Henry’s famous girlfriend?
Lenny has been in a relationship with casting director Lisa Makin since 2012. The star was previously married to fellow comedian Dawn French from 1974 to 2010. The couple, who parted ways after 25 years together, share a daughter, Billie, whom they adopted.
Lenny’s current partner, Lisa, is a highly accomplished casting director and creative producer, widely recognised for her extensive career in British theatre and television. She spent 20 years as Head of Casting and Associate Director at the Royal Court Theatre, contributing to acclaimed projects such as Danny and the Human Zoo, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky, and Broadway productions including La Bête.
Lenny spoke openly about his romance with Lisa during the most recent episode of The Assembly. He was notably asked: “Did your partner strong-arm you into doing this programme?”
Lenny replied: “We watched several of the programmes and I said, ‘[It would] be a bit nerve-wracking to be on that show,’ and she said, ‘No, you should do it.'”
Lenny is in a relationship with casting director Lisa Makin(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
He continued: “And then I got asked to be on the show, and I said, ‘What do you think?’ Lisa said, ‘You should do that,’ so that’s why I’m here.”
Lenny then addressed the camera directly, remarking: “Thanks Lisa, I’m on it now. It’s like being at speeding court. I’ve never been asked so many questions in my entire life.”
Recalling how he first met his partner, Lenny explained: “She was actually a producer on a show that I did. I was in Shakespeare’s Othello, and so I met her then. We had lots of cups of tea, and I just started to like her more and more.”
The star was subsequently asked: “Why haven’t you put a ring on it then?” to which Lenny amusingly responded: “Have you been talking to her?!”
The Assembly is available to stream on ITVX
