Les Dennis was one of many UK’s most liked TV presenters within the Nineteen Nineties, however his life has not been with out its fair proportion of ups and downs
Television stalwart Les Dennis emerged from the British comedy scene to set up himself as one of many small display’s most acquainted personalities.
Building a thriving profession as a bunch and performer, the 72-year-old’s breakthrough got here when he took over presenting duties on ITV’s standard gameshow Family Fortunes, the place his affable method made him a family identify in the course of the Nineteen Nineties.
Yet his interval within the public eye got here with its difficulties, as his extensively reported marriage to Amanda Holden and their eventual separation attracted important press consideration, casting a shadow over facets of his in any other case lasting leisure profession.
Additionally, Les has spoken candidly about his health issues, which had beforehand set off “alarm bells”, experiences the Express.
Over the years, Les has additionally been candid about his health, which beforehand raised “alarm bells”. Here, we check out Les’ life over time…
Marriage
Britain’s Got Talent panellist Amanda was married to tv character Les Dennis for eight years.
The pair’s romance began in 1993 whereas they have been each performing in The Sound of Music at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre. Les was 40 on the time, whereas she was 22.
Their bond initially developed as a friendship earlier than evolving romantically, they usually wed in a distinguished ceremony in 1995. Their relationship later turned tabloid fodder when information emerged of their separation.
Though she and Les quickly reconciled, they introduced in 2002 that that they had parted completely, with their divorce accomplished in 2003.
Years afterwards, Les additionally mirrored on the scenario and stated, “all the hurt that has happened has been healed”. Despite his tumultuous relationship with Amanda, Les wed Clare Nicholson in 2009. The pair have two kids collectively.
Health replace
At 69, Les disclosed he had shed roughly three stone following a worrying medical appointment that exposed he was prone to creating diabetes. The check-up itself was prompted by a extreme case of laryngitis in 2017, which led him to reassess his normal well-being.
At the time, he was touring as Uncle Fester in a theatrical manufacturing of The Addams Family.
He informed The Sun on the time: “I was relieved in many ways that I got laryngitis because it gave me the biggest wake-up call and made me look at my health. I had to miss the last 10 weeks of the show. I’ve never done that. I was doing eight shows a week. It was like an alarm bell. I knew that I had to take stock of my health.”
Following his physician’s go to, Les additionally found he was pre-diabetic. He stated, “Luckily, I caught it early sufficient to say, ‘Right, right here we go, I’ve to do one thing.’
“It has made me take accountability for my very own health.”
Family Fortunes
The 69-year-old had introduced the ITV recreation present Family Fortunes for 15 years, from 1987 to 2002, however opted to depart when it was relocated to a daytime schedule.
Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, he stated: “I’d determined to go away it as a result of it had gone to a daytime slot and I left it due to cash, to be trustworthy.
“They offered an insultingly 98 percent pay cut – time to go at the right time while it’s still a great show.” Having turned down the revised supply, he subsequently appeared on the second sequence of Celebrity Big Brother, later confessing he hoped the looks would breathe new life into his profession.
Despite acknowledging that the telephone wasn’t “ringing” an excessive amount of after Big Brother, Les went on to safe roles in Coronation Street and BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, alongside quite a lot of theatrical productions.
