Leigh Francis has revealed he’s shelved plans for a comeback of his controversial comedy show Bo Selecta!
The comedian, 50, had been working on a rebranded pilot of the programme 13 years after it was last on air.
Funnyman Keith spoke out about his future plans during a question and answer session on social media while touring the UK with his solo comedy show.
He said during on Instagram: ‘Keith Lemon is, well, I’ll never kill any characters off. I don’t ever kill any characters off.
‘Apart from if it’s one that someone is really upset by. Then you don’t do it anymore, because you only d**k about to put smiles on people’s faces.’
Speaking of his solo tour, he added: ‘So if you are pining for a bit of rubber mask tom foolery, here it is, in tour format.’
Leigh Francis has revealed he’s shelved plans for a comeback of his controversial comedy show Bo Selecta! (Leigh pictured last month)
The comedian, 50, had been working on a rebranded pilot of the programme 13 years after it was last on air (Keith pictured as Avid Merrion for Bo Selecta! in 2003)
Bo Selecta originally aired on Channel 4 and bosses of its streaming service removed all episodes of the show in 2020 following a backlash.
Meanwhile, Leigh revealed why he’s decided to do his first comedy tour as himself after rising to fame as his alter ego Keith Lemon.
The former Bo’ Selecta! star admitted that while turning 50 influenced his choice, he also fears that character comedy is ‘going out of fashion.’
He is now set to go on tour as his real self using his real name, but adding some of his characters on stage.
The reinvention comes after Craig David and Trisha Goddard slammed Leigh for his ‘racist’ depiction of him on his Channel 4 sketch show Bo’ Selecta!.
Leigh carried out impressions of Craig and other celebrities on the show, including Mel B and Trisha Goddard, and there were many instances of blackface and apologised last year.
Leigh, who is also hosting a radio show on Virgin said: ‘When I turned 50 I just thought it’s time to do stuff as myself.
‘Comedy wise, as well, I don’t think character comedy’s in fashion at the minute if I’m honest.’
It comesafter Leigh revealed why he’s decided to do his first comedy tour as himself after rising to fame as his alter ego Keith Lemon (pictured in October 2023)
The former Bo’ Selecta! star admitted that while turning 50 influenced his choice, he also fears character comedy is ‘going out of fashion’ (seen as Keith Lemon in 2016)
The comedian added: It’s like sketch shows become fashionable, and panel shows – genres of comedy become fashionable.
‘And at the moment I just don’t think that character comedy is fashionable. I might be totally wrong. There’ll probably be some amazing comedian come through playing some character and we’ll all think it’s ace.
‘But just because I turned 50 and you go “I don’t know how long I’ve got left on earth never mind in this business and there’s stuff I want to do as me.
‘Everyone used to say to me “Why don’t you do a grown-up version of Art Attack?” And I would say “What’s a grown up version of Art Attack – me painting with me willy out?” What does that mean?
‘I can do a version of it that’s both for children and adults, because most of the things that I make are stuff from the eighties anyway. So I always go “that’s adult there, because it’s from the eighties”.
‘I’d like to do some sort of art programme.’
As well as his passion for art, Leigh said he’d like to indulge in his love of film, adding: ‘I’m a massive film buff so something where you can show your passion.’
The TV personality continued: ‘Because when you’re in character you can only show your passion so much for something.’
He is now set to go on tour as his real self using his real name, but adding some of his characters on stage (pictured last month)
The reinvention comes after Craig David and Trisha Goddard slammed Leigh for his ‘racist’ depiction of him on his Channel 4 sketch show Bo’ Selecta!
Lemon also said a factor in his change of direction is cancel culture.
He said: ‘Near the end of Keith Lemon – I’m not saying that he’s finished because I’m doing him in my tour – he became more like me because the landscape of comedy changed as well.
‘You have to be a bit more mindful. You never set out to offend anyone. Everything comes from your heart and it’s to put smiles on faces – never to offend anyone.’
He added on the White Wine Question Time podcast: ‘It doesn’t come from a place of malice, it comes from a place of childish silliness. When I’ve lampooned anyone it’s because I like them.’
