Les Dennis

For the American trade union leader, see C. L. Dennis.
Les Dennis
Dennis in April 2010
Born
Leslie Dennis Heseltine

(1953-10-12) 12 October 1953 (age 71)
Liverpool, England
Occupations
  • Television presenter
  • actor
  • comedian
Years active1971–present
Spouses
  • Lynne Webster
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1974; div. 1990)​
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1995; div. 2003)​
  • Claire Nicholson
    ​
    (m. 2009)​
Children3

Leslie Dennis Heseltine (born 12 October 1953) is an English television presenter, actor and comedian. He presented Family Fortunes from 1987 until 2002.

Early life

[edit]

Dennis was born Leslie Dennis Heseltine on 12 October 1953[1] in the Liverpool suburb of Garston.[2] His mother worked in a factory while his father, who worked in a betting shop after serving in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, was listed as a football player on the books of Liverpool FC but did not play for the first team.[3] He lived in the suburb of Speke for a while and attended the Stockton Wood and Joseph Williams primary schools, before going to Morrison Rose Lane Secondary Modern school in Allerton.[4] From 1967 he went to Quarry Bank Comprehensive. Dennis left there in June 1972 with an A-level in Art and failed History and English Literature.[5] He had a weekend job in the men's clothing store Burton whilst still at school, and started as a stand-up comedian in working men's clubs.

Career

[edit]

Early work and Family Fortunes

[edit]

As a comedian, Dennis performed in social clubs all around the northwest of England.[6] He was given the earliest opportunities in his home city of Liverpool; in his autobiography, he later credited husband-and-wife theatrical agents Stuart and Dorene Gillespie (who had themselves been a successful variety act) with discovering him.[citation needed] His debut radio broadcast was in 1971 on Stuart's BBC Radio Merseyside series Variety Time (the programs were taped in front of a live audience in Merseyside clubs).[citation needed] In 1974, he won the ITV talent show New Faces and appeared on numerous light entertainment shows. It's a common myth that he almost became the first contestant ever to score the maximum 120 points on New Faces, but had to settle for 119 when Tony Hatch gave him 9 out of 10 in his final mark, drawing derision from the rest of a judges' panel that included fellow Liverpool comedian Arthur Askey. He scored 39 for Presentation, 36 for Content, and 36 for Star Quality, meaning he only scored 111 with the score of 9 out of 10 leaving him one mark short of a maximum in just the Presentation category.[7]

In 1982, Dennis joined as one of the teams on Russ Abbot's Madhouse and The Russ Abbot Show before forming a comedy partnership with fellow impressionist Dustin Gee, which in turn led to a series of their own, The Laughter Show.[8] Following Gee's sudden and unexpected death in January 1986, Dennis carried on The Laughter Show as a solo performer and became the third host of Family Fortunes for a 15-year run between 1987 and 2002.[9] It was at a recording of an episode of Family Fortunes in 1997 that Dennis was surprised by the BBC programme 'This Is Your Life'.[citation needed]

When a contestant on Family Fortunes gave a particularly silly answer to a survey question, Dennis would sometimes say, "If it's [the answer] up there, I'll give you the money meself!"[10] His Liverpudlian accent famously led him to pronounce "myself" as "meself", which soon made the sentence his catchphrase. This backfired on an episode where a contestant was asked to "name a way of toasting someone" and the contestant answered "over fire", which matched with "grill" for £12; according to an anonymous source, Dennis made good on his promise and provided the prize money himself."[10]

Theatre

[edit]

Dennis' stage work includes Amos Hart in Chicago and Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl in the West End.[11] He has starred in Skylight at the Water Mill Theatre in Newbury, Mr Wonderful at the Gateway Theatre in Chester, and Misery at the Coliseum Theatre in Oldham.[12] He also appeared in Just Between Ourselves and co-starred alongside Janet Suzman in Cherished Disappointments in Love at London's Soho Theatre.[13] He co-starred with Christopher Cazenove and John Duttine in a national tour of 'Art' and as Norman Bartholomew in Anthony Shaffer's dark comedy Murderer at London's Menier Chocolate Factory.[14] He later starred in a hit season of Neville's Island at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.[15]

Dennis appeared as Mr. Fulton in High School Musical 2 on a UK tour from August 2009 to February 2010.[15] He toured in Hairspray as Wilbur Turnblad alongside Michael Ball, Brian Conley and Michael Starke – who alternated the role of Edna Turnblad.[16] He starred in the touring production of Legally Blonde The Musical in 2012, playing the role of Professor Callahan.[17]

In 2017, Dennis played the role of Uncle Fester on the UK tour of the musical production of The Addams Family. The production starred Samantha Womack and Carrie Hope Fletcher.[18]

In 2019, Dennis performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Restoration plays The Provoked Wife[19] and Venice Preserved.[20]

In 2021, Dennis made a return to the theatre when he played the role of Wilbur Turnblad in the 2021 revival of Hairspray at the London Coliseum.[21]

In November and December 2021, Dennis performed as Sir Joseph in the English National Opera Performance of HMS Pinafore at the London Coliseum.[22]

Early film and TV

[edit]

Dennis' film debut was in the 1996 film Intimate Relations.[23] He also appeared in the comedy film Large and Wildlife, a short film directed by Nick Allsop.[citation needed] He had previously made appearances on two episodes of Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer in The "Club" sketch, where he played himself.[24][25] When he took part in a video-only special of Shooting Stars in 1993, Vic Reeves when introducing him pronounced his name as though it were French, saying "Les Dennis, the French fire engine".[citation needed]

Dennis has appeared in an episode of The Bill in 2006 as Mr. Tom Walker, Brookside (as Jeff Evans; 2001)[23] and episodes of Merseybeat, Family Affairs, Casualty, the short-lived revival of Crossroads, and Hotel Babylon.[26]

Celebrity Big Brother

[edit]

Dennis appeared in the second series of the UK Celebrity Big Brother during the period when his marriage to Amanda Holden was breaking down again – he described his time in the BB House as "not one of his wisest moves", although he went on to finish as runner-up to Mark Owen.[27]

Extras

[edit]

On 11 August 2005, Dennis appeared as a guest star in an episode of the first series of BBC sitcom Extras, written by and starring Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. In this appearance, Dennis portrayed a fictional version of himself, alongside Gerard Kelly, who played a camp theatre director, the recurring character Bunny. Dennis would go on to say "you could say Extras changed my life."[28]

2006–2007

[edit]

In early 2006, Dennis presented and performed in BBC One's The Sound of Musicals and guested in New Street Law on BBC One.[29]

In summer 2006, he played scriptwriter Nick Chase in a new comedy play called Marlon Brando's Corset, which toured the UK from July 2006, including a month-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe.[30]

He appeared as a guest in August 2006 in the ITV drama series The Bill, starring as a man suspected of murdering his father. Dennis appeared alongside fellow former Russ Abbot performer Lisa Maxwell, who played DI Samantha Nixon in the series.[31]

At the 2006 Edinburgh International Television Festival, it was announced Dennis would make a return to the gameshow genre, presenting a new big-money quiz show titled In the Grid for Channel 5. The show debuted on 30 October 2006 and aired for one series.[32] From April 2007, he also hosted UKTV Gold's TV Now and Then quiz show. The same month he guest-starred on BBC One's Holby City.[33]

He appeared on The Friday Night Project as a panellist on "Who knows the most about the guest host?" when Rupert Everett guest hosted.[citation needed] In theatre Dennis guest-starred as narrator in Side by Side by Sondheim at The Venue, London.[34]

As one of the team, he completed running the Safaricom Marathon in Lewa to raise funds for the BBC Wildlife Fund, screened on BBC One's Saving Planet Earth in July 2007.[35]

In August 2007, he starred in the hit play Certified Male—about the highs and lows of modern manhood—at the Edinburgh Festival.[36] He then toured in The Servant of Two Masters, directed by Michael Bogdanov and at Christmas he returned to pantomime after a ten-year break, co-starring in Cinderella with Hollywood veteran Mickey Rooney at the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, produced by First Family Entertainment.[37]

2008–2012

[edit]

Dennis's autobiography, Must The Show Go On?, was published by Orion in early 2008.[38]

In April 2008, Dennis toured in Eurobeat Almost Eurovision before a West End season in the show.[39] Also in 2008, he narrated Les Dennis's Home Video Heroes, a home video clip show broadcast on Challenge, and appeared in the ITV documentary Les Dennis' Liverpool, which was, coincidentally, broadcast a week after BBC Two ran Alexei Sayle's Liverpool, a three-part documentary on the city.[citation needed]

During the Christmas 2008 panto season, Dennis appeared as Buttons in Cinderella at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool. The pantomime also featured Jennifer Ellison as Cinderella, and Cilla Black as the Fairy Godmother.[40] At Christmas 2008, Dennis was featured on the Wombats' Christmas single and video Is This Christmas? in aid of MENCAP.[41]

In 2009, Dennis played Herbert Soppitt in J. B. Priestley's When We Are Married at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, and the Playhouse in Liverpool.[42] At Christmas 2009, he returned to the Liverpool Empire to appear in Peter Pan with Fonz actor Henry Winkler and again in 2010 to play the role of Aladdin's brother, Wishee Washee in Aladdin.[43][44]

In 2010, Dennis began presenting the children's TV series Fee Fi Fo Yum for CBBC.[45]

From 17 October 2011, Dennis started a week-long stint in Countdown's Dictionary Corner, ending on 21 October.[46]

In 2011 he again worked with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, with recurring appearances as a fictionalised version of himself in the Warwick Davis comedy series, Life's Too Short.[47] From August 2012, he performed in the play Jigsy at the Assembly Rooms (Edinburgh) as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[48]

2013–2014

[edit]

In 2013 Dennis was reunited with Warwick Davis when the pair joined the cast of the West End production of Monty Python's Spamalot at London's Playhouse Theatre.[49] His next theatrical appearance came in an adaptation of Peter James' novella The Perfect Murder".[50]

In 2013, Dennis was a contestant in Celebrity MasterChef. He finished as runner-up to Ade Edmondson. He has since returned to the show as a guest judge.[51]

In December of that year, Dennis appeared in an episode of Midsomer Murders titled "The Christmas Haunting".[52]

2014–2016: Coronation Street

[edit]

On 23 January 2014, it was announced that Dennis would join the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street, playing the part of Michael Rogers (later changed to Michael Rodwell after press release), a petty burglar. He began filming on 27 January 2014, and made his first appearance on TV on 24 March 2014. The show's producer Stuart Blackburn said: "Les is a fantastic performer and a real coup for Corrie. I can't wait for him to join the team".[53]

On 18 November 2016, Dennis's character Michael Rodwell was killed off from Coronation Street, after suffering a heart attack and being left for dead by the show's villain, Michael's love rival Pat Phelan.[54]

2017–present: After Coronation Street

[edit]

In April 2017, Dennis took the role of Uncle Fester in The Addams Family UK tour.[55]

In 2022, Dennis played a mind-reader in a film called Sideshow, a black comedy in the style of Stanley a Man of Variety or Peter Chelsom's Funny Bones.[56] The film, also starring Anthony Head, April Pearson and Nathan Clarke, received a one-star review from Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian.[57][58]

From 4 to 15 August, Dennis was the guest host on Countdown due to Colin Murray testing positive for COVID-19.[59]

In October 2022, Dennis starred as Grandad in Only Fools and Horses The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London.

In August 2023, Dennis was confirmed to be the final celebrity contestant to participate in the twenty-first series of Strictly Come Dancing.[60] He was the first celebrity to be eliminated.

Personal life

[edit]

Dennis has a son from his first marriage to Lynne Webster, which lasted from 1974 to 1990. He also had an affair with actress Sophie Aldred, which he documented in his autobiography.[61] He married actress Amanda Holden on 4 June 1995. They had a temporary split in 2000 when Holden's affair with actor Neil Morrissey was exposed in the press, before eventually separating in December 2002 and divorcing in 2003.[62]

Dennis met Claire Nicholson in 2005. They were married on 23 November 2009 in Highgate.[63] The couple have a daughter, born on 24 April 2008,[64] and a son, born on 14 April 2011.[65]

Dennis is a lifelong Liverpool F.C. fan.[3]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]

Television

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Les Dennis landmarks: Highlights of the Liverpool-born comedian and actor's career". Liverpool Echo. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Liverpool Echo.co.uk – Entertainment – ECHO Entertainment News – Comic Les Dennis takes the cast from Disney's High School Musical 2 stage show to meet schoolchildren at Liverpool charity KIND's SEED Centre". liverpoolecho.co.uk. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  3. ^ a b Rice, Jimmy. "CELEBRITY KOP CLUB: LES DENNIS". Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2008.
  4. ^ Must The Show Go On – Les Dennis – page 59
  5. ^ Must The Show Go On – Les Dennis – page 85
  6. ^ Friedman, Sam (7 August 2012). "Man Out of Time". Fest Magazine. Edinburgh. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Master copy held in the BFI National Archive". Collections Search British Film Institute. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  8. ^ Brown, Andrew (10 December 2015). "Les Dennis mourns Dustin Gee, who died after collapsing at panto in Southport". Southport Visiter. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Les Dennis quits Family Fortunes". Irish Examiner. 16 July 2002. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  10. ^ a b Needham, Lucy (17 December 2020). "Les Dennis gives verdict on Family Fortunes host Gino D'Acampo as fans beg for a comeback". Daily Mirror. Reach plc. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  11. ^ Jones, Catherine (31 August 2013). "Les Dennis becomes Spamalot royalty". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  12. ^ Lane, Harriet (11 February 2001). "Family Misfortunes". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  13. ^ "Bungled failure". Evening Standard. 16 October 2001. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  14. ^ Billington, Michael (19 November 2004). "Murderer". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Theatre: High School Musical 2 show heads to Wolverhampton and Birmingham". Birmingham Live. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  16. ^ "HAIRSPRAY Announces Touring Cast: Ball, Dennis, Conley And Starke All Feature". Broadway World UK. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  17. ^ "Les Dennis | Legally Blonde Tour". Legallyblondethemusical.co.uk. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  18. ^ Jordan, Ailbhe (17 August 2017). "The Addams Family: Samantha Womack and Les Dennis lead a spookily good production". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  19. ^ "The Provoked Wife". Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  20. ^ Omerod, Peter. "REVIEW: Les Dennis shines in dystopian noir thriller Venice Preserved at the RSC in Stratford". Leamington Courier. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Les Dennis replaces Paul Merton in West End Hairspray | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  22. ^ "HMS Pinafore | ENO 2021/22 Season | English National Opera".
  23. ^ a b "No 2,091". The Guardian. 15 November 2002. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  24. ^ "Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer". 5 February 1999. p. 130 – via BBC Genome.
  25. ^ "Bang, Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer". BBC. 29 January 1999. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  26. ^ "BBC Press Office Hotel Babylon Starts Thursday 19 January at 9.00 pm on BBC ONE". BBC. 11 January 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  27. ^ "Celebrity Big Brother: 16 celebs we are astonished took part". Closer. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  28. ^ Lee, Veronica (24 March 2009). "Les Dennis: How 'Extras' changed my life". London: Telegraph (UK). Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
  29. ^ Simon, Jane (25 May 2012). "New Street Law". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  30. ^ Lyn Gardner (7 August 2006). "Marlon Brando's Corset, Pleasance Grand, Edinburgh". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  31. ^ Green, Kris (19 May 2006). "Les Dennis to guest in 'The Bill'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  32. ^ "Five signs Dennis for quiz show". 30 August 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  33. ^ "Les Dennis found Holby role bizarre". What's on TV. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  34. ^ Gardner, Lyn (5 May 2007). "Side By Side By Sondheim". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  35. ^ "Press Releases Celebrities run wild to save Planet Earth". BBC. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  36. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (8 August 2007). "Les Dennis in Certified Male at the Edinburgh Festival". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  37. ^ "Actor Rooney to make panto debut". BBC News. 15 June 2007. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Les Dennis' autobiography jumps straight to No. 6". Curtis Brown. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  39. ^ Gardner, Lyn (17 September 2008). "Eurobeat". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Cilla panto thriller rocks the Empire". Liverpool Echo. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  41. ^ "Christmas No.1". Daily Mirror. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  42. ^ "Les Dennis shines in When We Are Married". Metro. 14 April 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  43. ^ Jones, Catherine (5 January 2010). "Henry Winkler praises Liverpool after playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan pantomime". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  44. ^ Miles, Tina. "Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson parties in Liverpool". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  45. ^ Evans, Jim (7 October 2010). "GLP makes giant impression on children's TV". Lighting and Sound International Online. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  46. ^ "Theatre: Actor Les Dennis in cancer musical". Birmingham Mail. 9 September 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  47. ^ Fletcher, Alex (22 June 2011). "Les Dennis, 'Enders Barry in Ricky Gervais's 'Life's Too Short' – Video". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  48. ^ "What's On: What's On in Liverpool and Merseyside – Liverpool Echo". www.liverpoolecho.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  49. ^ Hemley, Matthew (1 August 2013). "Les Dennis and Warwick Davis to join the cast of Spamalot | News". Retrieved 9 September 2019.
  50. ^ "The Perfect Murder". Wycombeswan.co.uk. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  51. ^ Cuddeford, Callum (23 December 2021). "BBC Celebrity MasterChef: Les Dennis' affair with EastEnders actress and failed marriage to Amanda Holden". MyLondon. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  52. ^ Power, Vicki (21 December 2013). "Midsomer Madness: ITV's detective drama kicks off with a Christmas episode". Daily Express. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  53. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (23 January 2014). "Coronation Street: Les Dennis joins show as criminal Michael Rogers". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  54. ^ Dainty, Sophie (18 November 2016). "Coronation Street has just killed off Michael Rodwell after Pat Phelan's most shocking move yet". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  55. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (18 May 2017). "Not even Les Dennis as Fester can save this lifeless musical – The Addams Family, review". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  56. ^ Mark Kermode's review of Sideshow as taken from Kermode and Mayo's Film Review on BBC Radio 5 Live on 11 March 2022/BBC Sounds
  57. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (9 March 2022). "Sideshow review – Les Dennis's washed-up psychic can't see he's in a terrible movie". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  58. ^ Potton, Ed (11 March 2022). "Sideshow review — avoid this woeful Les Dennis comedy".
  59. ^ Leaver, Joel (4 August 2022). "Countdown switch up due to Covid sees Les Dennis make his debut with ex Corrie co-star". Daily Mirror. Reach plc. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  60. ^ "Les Dennis is the final celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2023". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  61. ^ Barkham, Patrick (1 April 2008). "Beyond a joke". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  62. ^ "Holden and Dennis marriage ends". BBC News. 27 December 2002. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  63. ^ "Les Dennis marries for the third time". BBC News. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  64. ^ "Baby girl for TV host Les Dennis". BBC News. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  65. ^ "Garston TV star Les "delighted" to become Dad for third time". Liverpool Echo. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  66. ^ ""Midsomer Murders" the Christmas Haunting (TV Episode 2013) – IMDb". IMDb.
  67. ^ "Celebrity Antiques Road Trip". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  68. ^ "Les Dennis completes our line-up for Strictly 2023!". 11 August 2023.
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