Leigh Francis
Leigh Francis is one of the UKs best known faces…and a creative genius! Not only is he the man behind the iconic comedic characters including Avid Merrion, The Bear, Myrtle Holden, he created and starred in Bo Selecta (Ch4 2002-2009), has written over eight books and is a prolific Artist and Crafter!! Most recently Leigh has launched the hit podcast Unlikely Friends alongside his wife Jill and their Best Friends, Emma Bunton and Jade Jones.
As his character creation, the fabulous Keith Lemon, Leigh has presented numerous shows for ITV including the hit shows Through the Keyhole (2013-2019), Lemon La Vida Loca (2012-2013), The Keith Lemon Sketch Show (2015-2016), Sing If You Can, Keith and Paddy’s Picture Show (2015-2018), Shopping with Keith Lemon (2019-2024) plus over TWENTY SIX series of the multi Award Winning Celebrity Juice (2008-2022), as well as also writing and staring in Keith Lemon: The Film (2012 Lionsgate) and turning his hand to radio hosting DriveTime on Virgin Radio.
In 2014, Leigh was awarded one of the highest accolades in UK Entertainment when he won the BAFTA Television Award for “Best Entertainment Presenter”.
Born in Leeds on the 30th April 1973, Leigh started life in Old Farnley, attending Farnley High School where his passion for art lead to him joining the Jacob Kramer College receiving a qualification in graphic design – his love of art has continued throughout his life, whether in his comedy, his many social media creations or hosting Channel 4’s The Fantastical Factory of Curious Craft (2020).
After moving from Leeds to London in the mid 1990’s, Leigh began working at Paramount Comedy (now Comedy Central) for whom he created & starred in a series of short films. This led to features on Channel 4’s Popworld where the world was introduced to his character creations Barry Gibson, Avid Merrion and Keith Lemon for the very first time!! From here, Channel 4 gave Leigh his own show in 2002 and Bo’ Selecta was born…and led to five hugely successful series!!! His Bo! Characters and Keith Lemon all led to multiple spin off record breaking DVD sales, best-selling books, chart topping records (Proper Crimbo!) and even an uber successful Keith Lemon Body Care range!
Most recently, Leigh has starred in the hit movie RocketMan, won The Great Celebrity Bake Off (winning Star Baker with his creation!), embarked on his first live tour which sold out across the UK (‘My First Time’, SJM), has penned his own Autobiography Leigh, Myself and I (2024 Harper Collins)
Leigh has been married to his wife Jill since 2002 – they live in London with their 2 children, one dog and all the artwork, movie creatures and couture that Leigh LOVES to make on a daily basis (which he fully documents via @leighfrancis – Instagram
