HOW DO YOU BEAT THE BULLIES AND THE BIGOTS? HERE'S HOW.

The heart-breaking, inspirational (and very funny) story of the man who overcame so much, and won a very special place in a nation's heart.

'A proper delight to read: honest, revealing, human, and always, at its heart, funny.' NEIL GAIMAN

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In his long-awaited autobiography, Sir Lenny Henry tells the extraordinary story of his early years and sudden rise to fame.

Born soon after his Jamaican parents had arrived in the Midlands, Lenny was raised as one of seven siblings in a boisterous working household, and sent out into the world with his mum's mantra of 'H'integration! H'integration! H'integration!' echoing in his ears.

But 1970s Britain was a hard place, and a bewildering experience for a lone black teenager. A natural ability to make people laugh came in handy. At school it helped subdue the daily racist bullying. In the park, it led to lifelong friendships and occasional snogs. Soon, it would put him on stage at working men's clubs and Black Country discotheques -before an invitation to a TV audition changed his life for ever.

***BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week***

Sir Lenny Henry has been a comedian since the age of 16. He has risen from being a cult star on children's television to one of Britain's best-known and most celebrated comedians, as well as a writer, radio DJ, TV presenter, co-founder of Comic Relief, and award-winning actor. Henry has a PhD in Media Arts, and in 2015 was awarded a knighthood for services to charity and drama. In 2018, BBC One aired The Lenny Henry Birthday Show to celebrate his career so far.