Sir Lenny Henry has revealed his late mother Winifred was one of the inspirations which led him to pen new ITV drama Three Little Birds.
The comedian, 65, has written the series which follows the story two sisters and their friend emigrating from Jamaica to the UK and arriving as part of the Windrush generation in 1957 – which later became a scandal.
Those who made the trip, including Lenny’s mother who sadly passed away in 1998, in a bid to help rebuild Britain following WWII were years later detained, denied legal rights and threatened with deportation, despite having made the UK their home for decades, in a scandal the star described as ‘appalling’.
Lenny told The Mirror: ‘We’re in a situation where one’s nationality and Caribbeanness is being weaponised to send people back to their home, even though they’ve lived here and have become British.
Adding: ‘The Windrush scandal has been appalling and it’s hurt quite a lot of people’.
Pen to paper: Sir Lenny Henry, 65, has revealed his late mother Winifred was one of the inspirations which led him to pen new ITV drama Three Little Birds
Family: The comedian has written the series which follows the story two sisters and their friend emigrating from Jamaica to the UK and arriving as part of the Windrush generation in 1957 (pictured with mum Winifred in 1975)
Lenny, who was mentored writing the series by Dr Who scribe Russell T Davies, said that the show will still be relatable for everyone.
Saying: ‘Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, you can relate to moving from one place to another place for survival. It’s not just a story about five Jamaicans in a room in Dudley. It’s all our stories, because we were here, we’ve been here and we’re still here’.
The series six-part series, which takes it’s name from the famous Bob Marley song, stars newcomers Rochelle Neil, Rochelle Neil as well as formwer EastEnders actress Saffron Coomber, and Dr Who’s Arthur Darvill.
Last month Sir Lenny shared a video of himself enjoying a cup of tea at Buckingham Palace on social media
The Comic Relief superstar was suited and booted as he sat at a table in the palace while reading a poem from The Queen to promote a BBC competition, which he will judge for the first time.
This year’s winners of the BBC’s 500 Words story writing competition will have the chance to meet The Queen, with the grand final taking place at Buckingham Palace in February 2024.
Her Majesty champions the importance of literacy in creating life opportunities.
The poem read: ‘I send this letter Dear Sir Lenny, to ask you kindly if there’s any..
Shocking: Those who made the trip, including Lenny’s mother who sadly passed away in 1998, in a bid to help rebuild Britain following WWII were years later detained, denied legal rights and threatened with deportation, despite having made the UK their home for decades
Candid: He said ‘We’re in a situation where one’s nationality and Caribbeanness is being weaponised to send people back to their home, even though they’ve lived here and have become British’
Watch: Lenny, who was mentored writing the series by Dr Who scribe Russell T Davies (pictured) said that the show will still be relatable for everyone
‘Chance you might today at breakfast, tell your viewers of a contest, which inspires imagination, creativity, celebration, the call you will I’m sure you’ve heard…
‘Send us your 500 words.
‘If you are aged from 5-7 or from 8 up to 11, write your story, send it in, you could be the one to win.
‘Any subject, any style, make us marvel, make us smile
‘Make us think and think again, you have until November 10.
‘The hunt is on, we seek a star, the best of luck, Camilla R.’
Coming soon: The series six-part series, which takes it’s name from the famous Bob Marley song, stars newcomers Rochelle Neil, Rochelle Neil as well as formwer EastEnders actress Saffron Coomber, and Dr Who’s Arthur Darvill
Heartbreak: Lenny said: ‘The Windrush scandal has been appalling and it’s hurt quite a lot of people’
While walking around the palace with BBC Breakfast star Jon Kay, 53, Lenny checked out the Gold State Coach and remarked: ‘Oh my god, Jay-Z wants his ride back.’
Then while making his way up the stairs, he joked that he needed some oxygen because he got so out of breath.
He couldn’t believe it when the tray of tea was brought to him and he was told to help himself to milk and sugar, but said: Any digestives?’
As well as this campaign, Sir Lenny is about to attempt a Guinness World Record in association with Sky Arts and Portrait Artist of the Year .
He is striving for STEM learning to introduce art into everyday curriculum, in an effort to ‘open people’s minds’.
He told Express: ‘I think art galleries are the most beautiful places in the world. I like looking at paintings. I’ve always liked graphic novels.
‘Marvel Comics and DC Comics and Archie, and things like that. I like all kinds of art.’
Three Little Birds airs Sunday October 22 at 8pm on ITV and ITVX.
