West Country Lenny Henry

Dawn French has spoken candidly on Australian TV of the racial abuse she endured during her 25-year marriage to ex-husband Lenny Henry.

The actress and comedian, who lives in Cornwall, recalled a series of shocking attacks they suffered during their time together and called them 'cowardly acts'.

Lenny Henry is known the world over for his comic routines and larger then life personality. But in recent years, he's decided to take on some rather different roles.

He is currently in the West Country starring in a new production at Bath's Theatre Royal. The play, called 'Fences' deals with issues surrounding life as a black family in 1950s Pennsylvania.

He plays Troy Maxon, a once gifted athlete, denied his chance at the big time by the policies of segregation.

Watch the full interview with him below.

The comedian Lenny Henry is appearing at the Theatre Royal Bath in a more serious role than many of his fans expect. He's playing the former American athlete Troy Maxson who was a victim of the country's segregation policies.

Here he tells us about taking up serious acting.

You can hear more from Lenny Henry on ITV News West Country at 6pm.

On ITV News West Country at 6pm, we will be talking to Lenny Henry who is about to appear on stage in the region. He will be telling us about his charity work, his new career as a serious actor and the pressures of balancing domestic life with work.