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Lenny Henry: TV is 'too white'

08/02/2008

Lenny Henry has criticised the lack of ethnic diversity in British television.

In a speech to the Royal Television Society, the comedian explained that programme-makers should "be bold" and pursue a policy of affirmative action to ensure a better representation of today's Britain.

"When I started, I was surrounded by a predominantly white workforce, and 32 years later, not a lot has changed," he said on Thursday night.

"How many black British comedians are working on mainstream TV today? One? Two? Ethnic minorities are pitifully under-served."

Referring to the so-called "golden age" of comedy, Henry explained that shows such as Till Death Do Us Part had been divisive rather than inclusive.

"TV producers of the '60s and 70s missed a great opportunity," he said.

"Rather than reflect the reality of multi-ethnic Britain, they chose a more xenophobic route - emphasising points of difference instead of similarities."

He added: "Context is everything. Alf Garnett was a ludicrous character-and in the right context pretty funny, but put him against the background of Enoch Powell's 'Rivers Of Blood' speech - is he so funny then?"

Henry also criticised period dramas such as BBC1's Lark Rise to Candleford - in which his wife Dawn French stars - explaining that Britain's "sizeable black population" in the Victorian age was not represented on screen.

Setting out a seven-point plan, Henry called for broadcasters to aim to appoint more black and Asian people to major roles at UK television networks.

"I'm not talking about cleaners, security guys, scene shifters or anyone wearing a uniform," he added.

"I'm talking about decision makers, producers, directors [and] commissioners."