Leigh Francis has revealed why he decided to do his first comedy tour as himself after finding fame as his alter ego Keith Lemon.
The former Bo' Selecta! Star admitted that while turning 50 influenced his choice, he also fears character comedies are “going out of style.”
Now he will 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 criticized Leigh for his “racist” portrayal of him on his Channel 4 sketch show Bo' Selecta!
Leigh did imprints of Craig and other celebrities on the show, including Mel B and Trisha Goddard, and there were many instances of blackface last year and apologized.
Leigh Francis has revealed why he decided to do his first comedy tour as himself after finding fame as his alter ego Keith Lemon (pictured October 2023)
The former Bo' Selecta! The star admitted that while turning 50 influenced his decision, he also fears character comedies are “going out of style” (starring as Keith Lemon in 2016).
Leigh, who also hosts a radio show on Virgin, said: “When I turned 50 I just thought it was time to start doing things like myself.”
“If I’m honest, I also don’t think character comedies are in fashion right now.”
The comedian added: It's like sketch shows are becoming fashionable and panel shows – genres of comedy are becoming fashionable.
“And right now I just don’t think character comedies are in fashion. I could be completely wrong. There will probably be a great comedian portraying a character and we'll all think it's ace.
“But just because I turned 50 and they say, 'I don't know how much longer I have left on this earth, no matter in this business, and there are things I want to do like I did.'
“Everyone always said to me, ‘Why don’t you do an adult version of Art Attack?’ And I would say, ‘What’s an adult version of Art Attack – I paint with my will?’ What does that mean?
“I can do a version of it that's for both kids and adults because most of the stuff I do is stuff from the '80s anyway.” That's why I always say, “It's grown up because it's from the '80s.” Eighties.”
“I would like to do some sort of art program.”
In addition to his passion for art, Leigh said he also wants to indulge his love of film, adding: “I'm a huge film fan, so something where you can show your passion.”
Now he's ready to 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 criticized Leigh for his “racist” portrayal of him on his Channel 4 sketch show Bo' Selecta!
The TV personality continued, “Because when you're playing the role, you can only show your passion for something so much.”
Lemon also said a factor in his change of direction was cancel culture.
He said: “Towards the end of Keith Lemon – I'm not saying he's finished because I play him on my tour – he became more like me because the landscape of comedy was changing too.”
“You have to be a little more careful.” You never tried to offend anyone. “Everything comes from the heart and is about putting a smile 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.” “If I've mocked someone, it's only because I like them.”