Quick Info
| Profession | Television presenter, actor and comedian |
|---|---|
| Nationality | English |
| Date of Birth | 12/10/1953 |
| Age | 73 years |
| Birthplace | Garston, Liverpool, England |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
Latest News about Les Dennis
26/10/2026
Les Dennis said he would be willing to return to Family Fortunes if the show were revived, but doubted producers would approach him because of his age. He also recalled being offered a steep pay cut when the show moved from primetime to a daytime slot.
05/10/2026
Sue Cleaver and Karen Henthorn were announced to join Les Dennis on a UK tour of Victoria Wood's DINNERLADIES. The tour brings the British sitcom back to the stage with Dennis among the cast.
22/01/2026
Les Dennis was announced as part of the cast of the UK and Ireland tour of the musical Waitress, playing the role of Joe. The tour's 10th anniversary run included a stop at the King's Theatre in Glasgow from 6 to 10 October 2026.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Leslie Dennis Heseltine, known professionally as Les Dennis, is an English comedian, television presenter and actor. He is best known for hosting the ITV game show Family Fortunes from 1987 to 2002. He has also built a long career in theatre, including musicals and classical productions. |
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| Early Career | He began as a stand-up comedian in working men's clubs in the north-west of England and won the ITV talent show New Faces in 1974. |
Personal Life
| Parents | Leslie Heseltine and Winnie Grimes, both of whom died while Dennis was young |
|---|---|
| Marriages |
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Relationships & More
| Partner | Claire Nicholson (married 2009) |
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Family
| Parents | Leslie Heseltine and Winnie Grimes |
|---|---|
| Children | 3 |
Career
| Debut radio broadcast on BBC Radio Merseyside's Variety Time series | |
| Won the ITV talent show New Faces | |
| Joined the team on Russ Abbott's Madhouse and The Russ Abbott Show | |
| 1980s | Formed a comedy partnership with Dustin Gee, leading to The Laughter Show; continued solo after Gee's death in 1986 |
|---|---|
| 1987-2002 | Presented the game show Family Fortunes |
| Runner-up in the second series of Celebrity Big Brother | |
| Appeared in Extras as a fictionalised version of himself | |
| Hosted the game show In the Grid | |
| 2014-2016 | Played Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street |
| Guest presenter on Countdown | |
| Film and drama credits | Intimate Relations (1996), Large (2001), Brookside, The Bill, Casualty, Crossroads, Holby City, Hotel Babylon, Merseybeat and Family Affairs |
| Performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in The Provoked Wife and Venice Preserved | |
| Played Wilbur Turnblad in the London Coliseum revival of Hairspray and Sir Joseph in English National Opera's HMS Pinafore | |
| Featured as a guest on Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Weekend programme | |
| Cast as Joe in the UK and Ireland tour of the musical Waitress | |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. He was surprised by the BBC programme This Is Your Life during a 1997 recording of Family Fortunes. | |
| 2. He narrated the show Les Dennis's Home Video Heroes. | |
| 3. He is known for an impression of Mavis Riley from Coronation Street. | |
| 4. His Family Fortunes catchphrase made him a well-known figure in British popular culture. |
