Sir Lenny Henry makes a rare appearance with partner Lisa Makin as they attend ... trends now

Sir Lenny Henry made a rare appearance with his partner Lisa Makin as they attended the Up Next gala at London's National Theatre on Wednesday.

The comedian, 65, cut a dapper figure in a wine-red crushed velvet blazer as he headed home hand-in-hand with theatre mogul Lisa, also 65.

He paired his sharp ensemble with a crisp white shirt, black tailored trousers and a pair of black shiny shoes.

The British actor began dating Lisa in 2012 after he split from Dawn French, his wife of 25 years, in 2010.

Lisa looked incredible as she wore a green sparkly zip-up jacket, black trousers and some platform block-heel sandals.

The pair appeared in high spirits for the evening as they walked the red carpet.

Their outing comes just weeks after Sir Lenny hosted his final Red Nose Day in March 2023 after 39 years.

He starred alongside Davina McCall, Joel Dommett, Paddy McGuinness, Rosie Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan, Maya Jama and David Tennant.

In a recent interview with The Radio Times, Sir Lenny said that missing his former Comic Relief co-hosts - including ex-wife Dawn - was one reason why he decided to step down from presenting the iconic telethon after 39-years.

The comic, who co-founded the charity alongside Richard Curtis, has fronted the Red Nose Day specials since its inception as a charity in 1985, but confirmed that this month's show will be his last.

Sir Lenny, who was married to Dawn from 1984 to 2010, told Radio Times he 'missed his gang' of fellow comics who co-hosted with him in the 80s including French And Saunders, Billy Connolly and the late Victoria Wood.

He told the publication: 'We were like a little gang. But for a few years I've felt, ''Where's the new gang?''.