Misplaced Pages

Leigh Francis: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively
← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:38, 24 November 2020 edit2603:8081:160a:be2a:95b9:b0eb:9723:1d15 (talk) That was a character of his← Previous edit Latest revision as of 23:29, 28 December 2024 edit undoJonathan Deamer (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers7,643 edits Reverting edit(s) by Abc12345doar (talk) to rev. 1264652181 by CrossHouses: non-constructive (RW 16.1)Tags: RW Undo 
(179 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|English actor and comedian (born 1973)}}
{{pp-pc1|small=yes}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2012}} {{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox comedian {{Infobox comedian
| name = Leigh Francis | name = Leigh Francis
| image = Keith Lemon (8464862242) (cropped).jpg | image = Keith Lemon (8464862242) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Leigh Francis at the ] | caption = Francis as Keith Lemon at the ] in 2013
| birth_name = | birth_name = Leigh Izaak Francis
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1973|4|30}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1973|4|30}}
| birth_place = ], ], England | birth_place = ], ], England
<!-- Infobox comedian does not support the following parameter: <!-- Infobox comedian does not support the following parameter:
| alias = ]<br />]<br />] | alias = ]<br />]<br />]
--> -->
| notable_works =
| notable_works = {{unbulleted list|'']''|'']''|'']''|'']''|'']''|'']''}}
| medium = Television | medium = Television
| nationality = | nationality =
Line 23: Line 23:
}} }}


'''Leigh Francis''' (born 30 April 1973) is an English comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer. He is best known for creating ]'s '']'' (2002–2006) and portraying '''Keith Lemon''' in several ] and ] shows including '']'' (2008–present), ] (2012), '']'' (2013–present), and '']'' (2015–2016). '''Leigh Izaak Francis''' (born 30 April 1973), who is often known by the name of a character he plays, '''Keith Lemon''', is an English television presenter, comedian, actor, and writer. He is best known for creating and starring in ]'s ] show '']'' (2002–2009) and presenting the ] shows '']'' (2008–2022) and '']'' (2013–2019). His other comedy shows include '']'' (2012–2013), '']'' (2015–2016), and '']'' (2017–2018).


==Early life== ==Early life==
Francis was born in ], ], on 30 April 1973,<ref name="celebrityradio">{{cite web|url=https://www.celebrityradio.biz/comedian-leigh-francis-leeds-keith-lemon-life-story-interview/ |title=Comedian Leigh Francis Leeds Keith Lemon Life Story Interview |publisher= |date= |accessdate=2019-05-04}}</ref> and was brought up on a ] in ], ]. His father died aged 47 of ].<ref>. Telegraph.co.uk. (12 July 2005). Retrieved on 25 May 2012.</ref> Francis was born in ], ], on 30 April 1973,<ref name="celebrityradio">{{cite web|url=https://www.celebrityradio.biz/comedian-leigh-francis-leeds-keith-lemon-life-story-interview/ |title=Comedian Leigh Francis Leeds Keith Lemon Life Story Interview |date=14 September 2013 |access-date=4 May 2019}}</ref> and was brought up on a ] in ], ]. His father died aged 47 of ],<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3645046/We-grin-and-he-bears-it.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/3645046/We-grin-and-he-bears-it.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=We grin and he bears it|last=Leonard|first=Tom|date=12 July 2005|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=25 May 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> whilst his mother, Pat, is still alive.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 May 2021|title=Keith Lemon shares very rare family photo with fans|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/20210517113292/keith-lemon-rare-family-photo-mum-pat/|last=Strong|first=Gemma|work=Hello!|access-date=15 November 2021}}</ref>


Francis attended Farnley Park High School (now ]). He later studied at ] and received a qualification in graphic design. Before making his major television breakthrough, he was discovered and encouraged by television presenter ], performing in-role stand-up comedy in a southern comedy club. Francis attended Farnley Park High School (now ]). He later studied at ] and received a qualification in ]. Before making his major television breakthrough, he was discovered and encouraged by television presenter ], performing in-role stand-up comedy in a southern comedy club.<ref>{{cite web|title=What is Celebrity Juice and Through the Keyhole star Keith Lemon's net worth?|url=https://uk.style.yahoo.com/celebrity-juice-keyhole-star-keith-194838579.html|access-date=15 November 2021|website=uk.style.yahoo.com|date=14 December 2018 }}</ref>


McCall landed Francis his first television role on ''Dom and Kirk's Nite O' Plenty'', where he portrayed Bobby Stark, a man who gives tips on how to win over the ladies. The series aired on ] from January to July 1996. Francis' second television role was as Barry Gibson, a music ], featured on the early series of ]'s '']''. Francis also starred as various characters, including Gibson, Keith Lemon and ] in the series ''Whatever I Want'', which aired late night on ITV in 2000. McCall landed Francis his first television role on ''Dom and Kirk's Nite O' Plenty'', where he portrayed Bobby Stark, a man who gives tips on how to win over the ladies. The series aired on ] from January to July 1996.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 November 2021|title=Keith Lemon's life: Davina McCall's link, his lovely wife, and his astronomical net worth » Brinkwire|url=https://en.brinkwire.com/sports/keith-lemons-life-davina-mccalls-link-his-lovely-wife-and-his-astronomical-net-worth/|access-date=15 November 2021|website=Brinkwire}}</ref> Francis' second television role was as Barry Gibson, a music ], featured on the early series of ]'s '']''. Francis also starred as various characters, including Gibson, Keith Lemon and ] in the series '']'', which aired late night on ITV in 2000.


==Career== ==Career==
In his early career, Francis did a series of shorts for ] (then known as Paramount Comedy) called ''Stars in Their Houses''. Some of the shorts can be found on ]. In his early career, Francis did a series of shorts for ] (then known as Paramount Comedy) called ''Stars in Their Houses''. Some of the shorts can be found on ].


His major television breakthrough occurred when Channel 4 offered him a £250,000 deal to produce a series based on his television characters, such as his previous roles as Bobby Stark and Barry Gibson, and in 2002, '']'' was born. The series featured Francis portraying a series of celebrities by wearing face masks to impersonate them, as well as portraying the main, non-celebrity character, ]. The programme lasted for five series, airing between 2002 and 2006, however, the last two series were only loosely based on the original three. Season 4 was subtitled '']'', and was based on another of his characters, '']''. Season 5 returned to Avid Merrion and was called '']''. His major television breakthrough occurred when Channel 4 offered him a £250,000 deal to produce a series based on his television characters, such as his previous roles as Bobby Stark and Barry Gibson, and in 2002, '']'' was born. The series featured Francis portraying a series of celebrities by wearing face masks to impersonate them, as well as portraying the main, non-celebrity character, ]. The programme lasted for five series, airing between 2002 and 2006, however, the last two series were only loosely based on the original three. Series 4 was subtitled '']'', and was based on another of his characters, '']''. Series 5 returned to Avid Merrion and was called '']''.

Following the axing of ''Bo' Selecta!'', Francis took one of the series characters, Keith Lemon, and created a brand new show, '']'', which aired on ] in April 2008. The show was a success, and subsequently, Francis created another new show featuring Lemon, '']'', which aired for 26 series between 2008 and 2022. Lemon also co-hosted '']'' (2011) with ] and '']'' (2012) on ITV.
] at the ]]]

In 2012, he was the protagonist in his feature film debut in the self-titled '']'', alongside ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flickeringmyth.blogspot.com/2011/11/keith-lemon-coming-to-big-screen-for.html |title=Keith Lemon coming to the big screen for Keith Lemon: The Film |publisher=Flickering Myth |date=9 November 2011 |access-date=3 March 2013}}</ref>
Francis has since presented and/or appeared in numerous other ITV2 programmes in character as Lemon, including '']'' (2013–2019), '']'' (2015–2016), '']'' (2017–2018), alongside ] and ''Shopping with Keith Lemon'' (2019–2023).<ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2019 |access-date=7 June 2019 |title=ITV2 to broadcast new series Shopping With Keith Lemon |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/5295/shopping_with_keith_lemon/ |publisher=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> Francis had a cameo in '']'', the 2019 ] biopic, playing a shop worker named Pete.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 May 2019 |access-date=28 June 2019 |title=Keith Lemon Makes A Surprise Cameo In New Elton John Movie, 'Rocketman' |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/tv-film/keith-lemon-cameo-rocketman-movie/ |publisher=Capital FM}}</ref>


Talking about a scrapped pilot for a Bo Selecta reboot, Francis retired the character of Keith Lemon, saying "Keith Lemon is, well, I'll never kill any characters off... I don't ever kill any characters off. Apart from if it's one that someone is really upset by. Then you don't do it anymore, because you only d**k about to put smiles on people's faces.".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brinsford |first1=James |title=Leigh Francis' reboot of hit comedy series axed after he films first episode |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/leigh-francis-reboot-bo-selecta-32256270 |website=The Mirror |language=en |date=2 March 2024}}</ref> Francis continues to producing content for his YouTube,<ref>{{cite web |title=Leigh Francis |url=https://www.youtube.com/@leigh_francis |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref> where he posts sketches in the vein of Selecta and other characters. In early 2024, Francis went on tour, starring in ''My First Time''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Logan |first1=Brian |title=Leigh Francis: My First Time review – cacophonously unfunny with the emphasis on cack |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/mar/11/leigh-francis-review-london-palladium |website=The Guardian |date=11 March 2024}}</ref>
Following the axing of ''Bo' Selecta!'', Francis took one of the series characters, Keith Lemon, and created a brand new show, '']'', which aired on ] in April 2008. The show was a success, and subsequently, Francis created another new show featuring Lemon, '']'', which has aired 23 series to date. Lemon also co-hosted '']'' with ], and, since 7 April 2012, he has hosted his new show '']'' on ITV. In November 2011, it was revealed that Lemon would make his feature film debut in '']'', with production starting later that month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flickeringmyth.blogspot.com/2011/11/keith-lemon-coming-to-big-screen-for.html |title=Keith Lemon coming to the big screen for Keith Lemon: The Film |publisher=Flickering Myth |date=9 November 2011 |accessdate=3 March 2013}}</ref>


He competed on '']'' (a charity special of ''The Great British Bake Off'') in 2024 where he won the second episode of the 7th series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=Leigh Francis Wins Star Baker |url=https://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/whats-happening/celebrity-bake-off-episode-two-2024 |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Stand Up To Cancer |language=en}}</ref> As of October 2024, he is starring in the West End Production of Back to the Future the Musical as Strickland at the London Adelphi Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wild |first1=Stephi |title=Photos: Leigh Francis Will Join BACK TO THE FUTURE; Plus a Look Backstage |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Photos-Leigh-Francis-Will-Join-BACK-TO-THE-FUTURE-Plus-a-Look-Backstage-20241021 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>
Since 31 August 2013, Francis has presented ITV panel show '']'' in character as ]. Since 5 February 2015, he has appeared in the ] comedy show '']''.
As of June 2019, Francis is also presenting his new show on ITV, ''Shopping With Keith Lemon''.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2019 |accessdate=7 June 2019 |title=ITV2 to broadcast new series Shopping With Keith Lemon |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/5295/shopping_with_keith_lemon/ |publisher=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> Francis had a cameo in '']'', the 2019 ] biopic, playing a shop worker named Pete.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 May 2019 |accessdate=28 June 2019 |title=Keith Lemon Makes A Surprise Cameo In New Elton John Movie, 'Rocketman' |url=https://www.capitalfm.com/news/tv-film/keith-lemon-cameo-rocketman-movie/ |publisher=Capital FM}}</ref>


==Personal life== ==Personal life==
On 30 October 2002, at ], ], Francis married Jill Carter, a beauty therapist. In February 2009, their daughter, Matilda, was born.<ref name="me">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leigh-francis-im-just-not-very-good-at-being-me-vvnm36d68fp|title=Leigh Francis: 'I'm just not very good at being me'|date=26 April 2012|work=The Times|accessdate=25 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2018021646372/keith-lemon-wife-jill-carter/|title=Who is Keith Lemon's wife? See his sweet tribute and other info|date=16 February 2018|work=Hello!|accessdate=26 July 2018}}</ref> On 30 October 2002, at ], ], Francis married Jill Carter, a beauty therapist. They have two daughters.<ref name="me">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/leigh-francis-im-just-not-very-good-at-being-me-vvnm36d68fp|title=Leigh Francis: 'I'm just not very good at being me'|last=Iley|first=Chrissy|date=26 April 2012|work=The Times|access-date=25 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2018021646372/keith-lemon-wife-jill-carter/|title=Who is Keith Lemon's wife? See his sweet tribute and other info|date=16 February 2018|work=Hello!|access-date=26 July 2018}}</ref>


On 4 June 2020, Francis apologised on ], as himself, for his portrayal of various black celebrities on ''Bo' Selecta!''. In the video description he added "Following ], I’ve done a lot of talking and learning and I would like to put this out there. I want to apologise to anyone that was offended by ''Bo’selecta''. I’m on a constant journey of knowledge and just wanted to say I’m deeply sorry. ]" <ref>{{Cite web|title=Keith Lemon issues heartfelt apology for his TV show Bo' Selecta! in wake of Black Lives Matter protests|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/keith-lemon-issues-heartfelt-apology-for-his-tv-show-bo-selecta-in-wake-of-black-lives-matter-protests/ar-BB152MZ2?ocid=msedgntp|access-date=2020-06-04|website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Keith Lemon on Instagram: "Following recent events, I’ve done a lot of talking and learning and I would like to put this out there. I want to apologise to anyone that…"|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBd0ctHa6R/|access-date=2020-06-04|website=Instagram|language=en}}</ref> On 4 June 2020, Francis apologised on ], as himself, for his portrayal of various black celebrities on ''Bo' Selecta!''. In the video description he added "Following ], I've done a lot of talking and learning and I would like to put this out there. I want to apologise to anyone that was offended by ''Bo'selecta''. I'm on a constant journey of knowledge and just wanted to say I'm deeply sorry. ]".<ref>{{cite web|title=Keith Lemon issues heartfelt apology for his TV show Bo' Selecta! in wake of Black Lives Matter protests|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/keith-lemon-issues-heartfelt-apology-for-his-tv-show-bo-selecta-in-wake-of-black-lives-matter-protests/ar-BB152MZ2?ocid=msedgntp|access-date=4 June 2020|website=www.msn.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Keith Lemon|title=Following recent events, I've done a lot of talking and learning and I would like to put this out there. I want to apologise to anyone that...|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBd0ctHa6R/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CBBd0ctHa6R |archive-date=26 December 2021 |url-access=registration|access-date=4 June 2020|website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


==Characterisation== ==Characterisation==
In interviews, Francis usually adopts one of his celebrity guises, being interviewed as Avid Merrion during ''Bo' Selecta!'''s run between 2002 and 2006, and as Keith Lemon ever since. In an out-of-character interview with ''On: Yorkshire Magazine'', Francis confirmed Avid Merrion's accent and dialects were inspired by his former tutor at ], Laimonis Mieriņš. He also pointed out Merrion is a misspelling of Mieriņš, and has nothing to do with the ] in Leeds as some may have assumed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leigh Francis Interview|url=http://www.on-magazine.co.uk/features/interviews/leigh-francis/|publisher=On: Yorkshire Magazine|accessdate=2 May 2014}}</ref> Francis has also been interviewed as himself for '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. In interviews, Francis usually adopts one of his celebrity guises, being interviewed as Avid Merrion during ''Bo' Selecta!'''s run between 2002 and 2006, and as Keith Lemon ever since. In an out-of-character interview with ''On: Yorkshire Magazine'', Francis confirmed Avid Merrion's accent and dialects were inspired by his former tutor at ], Laimonis Mieriņš. He also pointed out Merrion is a misspelling of Mieriņš, and has nothing to do with the ] in Leeds as some may have assumed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Leigh Francis Interview|date=19 July 2011|url=http://www.on-magazine.co.uk/features/interviews/leigh-francis/|publisher=On: Yorkshire Magazine|access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> Francis has also been interviewed as himself for '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.


==Characters== ==Characters==
{{further|List of Bo' Selecta! characters}} {{further|List of Bo' Selecta! characters}}


==Television== ==Filmography==


=== Television ===
'''As himself'''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* ''The Buzz'' (1998)
|-
* '']'' (2002–06)
! Year
* '']'' (2004)
! Title
* '']'' (2009)
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1999
|''Comedy Café''
|Barry Gibson
|1 episode
|-
| 2000
| '']''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2002–2009
| '']''
|Various Roles
| Also writer
5 series
|-
|2005
|'']''
|]
|Also writer
1 series
|-
| 2008
| '']''
| rowspan="2" | Presenter
|
|-
| 2008–2022
| '']''
| 26 series
|-
|2009
|]
|Contestant
|With ]
|-
| 2011
| '']''
| Co–presenter
| With ]
|-
| 2012
| '']''
| Presenter
|
|-
| 2012–2013
| '']''
|Himself
| Also writer
2 series
|-
| 2013–2019
| '']''
| Presenter
| 6 series
|-
| 2015–2016
| '']''
| Various Roles
| Also writer
2 series
|-
| 2015
| '']''
| Contestant
| 1 episode
|-
| 2017–2018
| '']''
| Various Roles
| Co-star with Paddy McGuinness
2 series
|-
| 2018
| ''Keith Lemon: Coming in America''
| rowspan="4" | Presenter
| 1 series
|-
| 2019–2023
| ''Shopping with Keith Lemon''
| 4 series
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2020
| ''The Fantastical Factory of Curious Craft''
| 1 series
|-
| ''Britain's Best Selling Toys''
| One-off special
|-
|'']''
|Himself
|Special guest
1 episode
|-
| 2021
| ''The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle''
| Myrtle Holden
| 1 series
|-
| 2022
| ''The Real Dirty Dancing''
| Co-Presenter
| With ]
|-
| 2024
| '']''
| Contestant & Star Baker
| Series 7 episode 2<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2024/03/24/dame-prue-leith-horrified-bake-off-star-presents-most-disgusting-cake-ever-20521743/|title=Grotesque Celebrity Bake Off cake designed after dismembered body part will give you nightmares|website=metro.co.uk|access-date=26 March 2024}}</ref>
|}


=== Film ===
'''As Keith Lemon'''
{| class="wikitable"
* ''Whatever I Want'' (2000)
|+
* '']'' (2008—)
!Year
* '']'' (2011)
!Title
* '']'' (2012)
!Role
* '']'' (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
!Notes
* '']'' (2012)
|-
* '']'' (2012–2013)
|2012
* '']'' (2013—2019)
* '']'' (2015–2016) |'']''
|Himself
* '']'' (2016)
|
* '']'' (2017–2018)
|-
* ''Keith Lemon: Coming in America'' (2018)
|2019
* ''Shopping with Keith Lemon'' (2019—)
|]
|Pete
|Cameo<ref>{{cite web |title=Yes, that really was Keith Lemon having a cameo in Rocketman |url=https://amp.smoothradio.com/news/entertainment/keith-lemon-rocketman-cameo/ |access-date=3 September 2022 |website=amp.smoothradio.com}}</ref>
|}


==References== ==References==
Line 90: Line 212:
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 23:29, 28 December 2024

English actor and comedian (born 1973)

Leigh Francis
Francis as Keith Lemon at the 66th British Academy Film Awards in 2013
Birth nameLeigh Izaak Francis
Born (1973-04-30) 30 April 1973 (age 51)
Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
MediumTelevision
Years active1995–present
Genres
Spouse Jill Carter ​(m. 2002)​
Children2

Leigh Izaak Francis (born 30 April 1973), who is often known by the name of a character he plays, Keith Lemon, is an English television presenter, comedian, actor, and writer. He is best known for creating and starring in Channel 4's sketch comedy show Bo' Selecta! (2002–2009) and presenting the ITV shows Celebrity Juice (2008–2022) and Through the Keyhole (2013–2019). His other comedy shows include Lemon La Vida Loca (2012–2013), The Keith Lemon Sketch Show (2015–2016), and The Keith & Paddy Picture Show (2017–2018).

Early life

Francis was born in Beeston, Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, on 30 April 1973, and was brought up on a council estate in Old Farnley, Leeds. His father died aged 47 of cancer, whilst his mother, Pat, is still alive.

Francis attended Farnley Park High School (now The Farnley Academy). He later studied at Jacob Kramer College and received a qualification in graphic design. Before making his major television breakthrough, he was discovered and encouraged by television presenter Davina McCall, performing in-role stand-up comedy in a southern comedy club.

McCall landed Francis his first television role on Dom and Kirk's Nite O' Plenty, where he portrayed Bobby Stark, a man who gives tips on how to win over the ladies. The series aired on Paramount Television from January to July 1996. Francis' second television role was as Barry Gibson, a music paparazzo, featured on the early series of Channel 4's Popworld. Francis also starred as various characters, including Gibson, Keith Lemon and Avid Merrion in the series Whatever I Want, which aired late night on ITV in 2000.

Career

In his early career, Francis did a series of shorts for Comedy Central (then known as Paramount Comedy) called Stars in Their Houses. Some of the shorts can be found on YouTube.

His major television breakthrough occurred when Channel 4 offered him a £250,000 deal to produce a series based on his television characters, such as his previous roles as Bobby Stark and Barry Gibson, and in 2002, Bo' Selecta! was born. The series featured Francis portraying a series of celebrities by wearing face masks to impersonate them, as well as portraying the main, non-celebrity character, Avid Merrion. The programme lasted for five series, airing between 2002 and 2006, however, the last two series were only loosely based on the original three. Series 4 was subtitled A Bear's Tail, and was based on another of his characters, The Bear. Series 5 returned to Avid Merrion and was called Bo! in the USA.

Following the axing of Bo' Selecta!, Francis took one of the series characters, Keith Lemon, and created a brand new show, Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour, which aired on ITV2 in April 2008. The show was a success, and subsequently, Francis created another new show featuring Lemon, Celebrity Juice, which aired for 26 series between 2008 and 2022. Lemon also co-hosted Sing If You Can (2011) with Stacey Solomon and Keith Lemon's LemonAid (2012) on ITV.

Leigh Francis with Kelly Brook at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival

In 2012, he was the protagonist in his feature film debut in the self-titled Keith Lemon: The Film, alongside Kelly Brook. Francis has since presented and/or appeared in numerous other ITV2 programmes in character as Lemon, including Through the Keyhole (2013–2019), The Keith Lemon Sketch Show (2015–2016), The Keith & Paddy Picture Show (2017–2018), alongside Paddy McGuinness and Shopping with Keith Lemon (2019–2023). Francis had a cameo in Rocketman, the 2019 Elton John biopic, playing a shop worker named Pete.

Talking about a scrapped pilot for a Bo Selecta reboot, Francis retired the character of Keith Lemon, saying "Keith Lemon is, well, I'll never kill any characters off... I don't ever kill any characters off. Apart from if it's one that someone is really upset by. Then you don't do it anymore, because you only d**k about to put smiles on people's faces.". Francis continues to producing content for his YouTube, where he posts sketches in the vein of Selecta and other characters. In early 2024, Francis went on tour, starring in My First Time.

He competed on The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake Off (a charity special of The Great British Bake Off) in 2024 where he won the second episode of the 7th series. As of October 2024, he is starring in the West End Production of Back to the Future the Musical as Strickland at the London Adelphi Theatre.

Personal life

On 30 October 2002, at Allerton Castle, North Yorkshire, Francis married Jill Carter, a beauty therapist. They have two daughters.

On 4 June 2020, Francis apologised on Instagram, as himself, for his portrayal of various black celebrities on Bo' Selecta!. In the video description he added "Following recent events, I've done a lot of talking and learning and I would like to put this out there. I want to apologise to anyone that was offended by Bo'selecta. I'm on a constant journey of knowledge and just wanted to say I'm deeply sorry. #blacklivesmatter".

Characterisation

In interviews, Francis usually adopts one of his celebrity guises, being interviewed as Avid Merrion during Bo' Selecta!'s run between 2002 and 2006, and as Keith Lemon ever since. In an out-of-character interview with On: Yorkshire Magazine, Francis confirmed Avid Merrion's accent and dialects were inspired by his former tutor at Jacob Kramer College, Laimonis Mieriņš. He also pointed out Merrion is a misspelling of Mieriņš, and has nothing to do with the Merrion Centre in Leeds as some may have assumed. Francis has also been interviewed as himself for The Frank Skinner Show, Loose Women, Big Brother's Little Brother, The Museum of Curiosity, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, and Sunday Brunch.

Characters

Further information: List of Bo' Selecta! characters

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Comedy Café Barry Gibson 1 episode
2000 Whatever I Want Himself
2002–2009 Bo' Selecta! Various Roles Also writer

5 series

2005 A Bear's Tail Bear Also writer

1 series

2008 Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour Presenter
2008–2022 Celebrity Juice 26 series
2009 Let's Dance For Sports Relief Contestant With Paddy McGuinness
2011 Sing If You Can Co–presenter With Stacey Solomon
2012 Keith Lemon's LemonAid Presenter
2012–2013 Lemon La Vida Loca Himself Also writer

2 series

2013–2019 Through the Keyhole Presenter 6 series
2015–2016 The Keith Lemon Sketch Show Various Roles Also writer

2 series

2015 1000 Heartbeats Contestant 1 episode
2017–2018 The Keith & Paddy Picture Show Various Roles Co-star with Paddy McGuinness

2 series

2018 Keith Lemon: Coming in America Presenter 1 series
2019–2023 Shopping with Keith Lemon 4 series
2020 The Fantastical Factory of Curious Craft 1 series
Britain's Best Selling Toys One-off special
How's Your Head, Hun? Himself Special guest

1 episode

2021 The Holden Girls: Mandy & Myrtle Myrtle Holden 1 series
2022 The Real Dirty Dancing Co-Presenter With Ashley Roberts
2024 The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer Contestant & Star Baker Series 7 episode 2

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Keith Lemon: The Film Himself
2019 Rocketman Pete Cameo

References

  1. "Comedian Leigh Francis Leeds Keith Lemon Life Story Interview". 14 September 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  2. Leonard, Tom (12 July 2005). "We grin and he bears it". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  3. Strong, Gemma (17 May 2021). "Keith Lemon shares very rare family photo with fans". Hello!. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  4. "What is Celebrity Juice and Through the Keyhole star Keith Lemon's net worth?". uk.style.yahoo.com. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  5. "Keith Lemon's life: Davina McCall's link, his lovely wife, and his astronomical net worth » Brinkwire". Brinkwire. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  6. "Keith Lemon coming to the big screen for Keith Lemon: The Film". Flickering Myth. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  7. "ITV2 to broadcast new series Shopping With Keith Lemon". British Comedy Guide. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  8. "Keith Lemon Makes A Surprise Cameo In New Elton John Movie, 'Rocketman'". Capital FM. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  9. Brinsford, James (2 March 2024). "Leigh Francis' reboot of hit comedy series axed after he films first episode". The Mirror.
  10. "Leigh Francis". YouTube.
  11. Logan, Brian (11 March 2024). "Leigh Francis: My First Time review – cacophonously unfunny with the emphasis on cack". The Guardian.
  12. "Leigh Francis Wins Star Baker". Stand Up To Cancer. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  13. Wild, Stephi. "Photos: Leigh Francis Will Join BACK TO THE FUTURE; Plus a Look Backstage". BroadwayWorld.com.
  14. Iley, Chrissy (26 April 2012). "Leigh Francis: 'I'm just not very good at being me'". The Times. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
  15. "Who is Keith Lemon's wife? See his sweet tribute and other info". Hello!. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  16. "Keith Lemon issues heartfelt apology for his TV show Bo' Selecta! in wake of Black Lives Matter protests". www.msn.com. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  17. Keith Lemon. "Following recent events, I've done a lot of talking and learning and I would like to put this out there. I want to apologise to anyone that..." Instagram. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  18. "Leigh Francis Interview". On: Yorkshire Magazine. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  19. "Grotesque Celebrity Bake Off cake designed after dismembered body part will give you nightmares". metro.co.uk. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  20. "Yes, that really was Keith Lemon having a cameo in Rocketman". amp.smoothradio.com. Retrieved 3 September 2022.

External links

Leigh Francis
TV and film
Characters
Music
BAFTA TV Award for Best Entertainment Performance
1958–1975
1976–2000
2001–present
Categories: