Lenny
Henry
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| Lenny
Henry |
Dudley
born Lenny Henry is a worldwide respected comedian and holder of
a CBE. Lenny’s career spans almost thirty years and counting.
Since
his triumphant televisual debut in 1975, when he won the New Faces
talent competition at the age of 18, his fame rocketed. From Saturday
morning children’s show called Tiswas in 1978 - 1980 to the
popular sketch show, Three of a Kind, alongside Tracey Ullman.
By
1984, Lenny was ready for his own show. 'The Lenny Henry Show' ran
for a decade, becoming hugely popular with audiences. A return to
his stand-up roots followed, with Lenny embarking on the Live and
Unleashed shows, bringing him to the attention of Hollywood.
More
shows followed including: The hugely successful BBC sitcom, Chef,
Hope and Glory, where Lenny played a more serious role as a school
teacher and
his sketch show persona Lenny Henry in Pieces, in 2000.
Lenny
is also famous for being one of the founding figures of Comic Relief.
He has won numerous awards throughout his career, including BBC
British Personality of the Year and the Edric Connor Inspiration
to Black People Award.
Meera
Syal
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| Meera
Syal |
Meera
was born and raised in Wolverhampton, her career so far has been
both wide-ranging and distinguished.
She
first came to wide public attention as a writer/performer in BBC2's
The Real McCoy, which she followed up with TV roles in Soldier Soldier,
Drop the Dead Donkey, Band of Gold and Keeping Mum, and the films
Sammy & Rosie Get Laid, and Beautiful Thing.
In
1996, Meera began writing and performing in the multi-award winning
Goodness Gracious Me. She then took major roles in BBC1's The Mrs
Bradley Mysteries, In Deep, Bedtime, Fat Friends, BBC2's ratings
winner The Kumars at Number 42 and played Rupinder in BBC1's All
About Me with Jasper Carrott.
Meera
wrote the film 'Bhaji on the Beach' and the critically acclaimed,
best-selling novels, 'Life Isn't All Ha Ha He He' and 'Anita and
Me', (plus the screenplay for the film which was released on the
big screen in 2002).
Meera
Syal was awarded an MBE in 1997 and won the 'Media Personality of
the Year' award at the Commission for Racial Equality's annual 'Race
in the Media' awards (2000).
Ashley
Blake
(Midlands Today)
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| Ashley
Blake |
Now
in his ninth year as a television journalist, he began his BBC career
in Birmingham as the region's Arts and Entertainment Correspondent
and news presenter, before working as a reporter for Watchdog.
His
first job was on a local cable TV show where he got his first taste
of what he’s doing now - as an entertainment reporter.
Ashley
was then drawn to the bright lights of London and became a reporter/presenter
on ‘London Today’ and ‘London Tonight’. After
producing and presenting holiday reports from around the world,
including Hong Kong, Turkey and Ireland, London Weekend Television
offered him the chance to work on ‘Dream Ticket’, which
combined his journalistic skills with his love of travelling.
Ashley
then became a reporter for ‘Breakfast News’ but was still
keen to return home. Ashley currently presents regional programmes
Inside Out and Midlands Today.
Shazia
Mirza
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| Shazia
Mirza |
Birmingham
born comedian Shazia Mizra is the UK's most prolific and only female
Muslim stand up.
She
started her professional stand-up career in September 2000, prior
to that she studied Bio-Chemistry at university.
She
eventually became a science teacher at an East End comprehensive
but gave up the day job in order to become a comedian full time.
Shazia
recently got her own radio show in London on ClubAsia AM. After
appearing on BBC1's Have I Got News For You she became a regular
commentator on BBC Radio Five Live.
Shazia
has also landed her first publishing deal and is currently writing
a book.
Alison
Hammond
(Big Brother 2002 contestant)
 |
| Alison
Hammond |
Alison
catapulted to fame in Summer 2002 Big Brother. Although only in
the house a short time, Alison will always be remembered for her
BIG personality and breaking the Big Brother garden furniture by
standing on it.
Since
leaving the Big Brother house Alison has made several TV appearances.
Dean
O' Loughlin
(Big Brother 2001 contestant)
Dean
O' Loughlin is Birmingham's pride and joy after the second series
of Big Brother. This cool thinker won the hearts of the nation with
his charm, calming presence and sense of humour.
According
to the Big Brother website, Dean is "a creative thinker who
loves football.
Dean
avoided early evictions and stayed in the Big Brother right up until
the final night. He became the 3rd runner up.
Nicholas
Bailey
-
(Dr Trueman from Eastenders)
 |
| Nicholas
Bailey |
Nicholas
started acting at primary school. At an early age his Mother enrolled
him into the Old Birmingham Rep theatre school run on a Saturday.
Nicholas
then went onto drama school. After graduating, his first major role
was in the National Youth Theatre playing Brutus in Julius Caesar.
From there it was TV roles such as The Bill and film work including
the feature film ID, a cult classic about football hooliganism.
Before
landing the role of Dr. Trueman, Nicholas's TV credits included
Casualty, Coronation Street.
Pogus
Caesar
 |
| Pogus
Caesar |
Pogus
Caesar was born in St Kitts, West Indies and moved to Sparkbrook
in Birmingham.
1984. In the early stages of his career, Pogus was approached by
Channel 4 and asked to work on their multicultural show 'Black on
Black'. Since then, he has produced and directed multicultural programmes
for the major terrestrial channels, featuring such stars as Lennox
Lewis, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Isaac Hayes and Aaliyah.
In
1993, Pogus set up his own production company, Windrush Productions.
He was also senior producer/director of 'A-Force' (BBC TV). He then
went on to become series editor and presenter of the show 'Drumbeat'
(Carlton TV).
Since
then Windrush Productions has produced numerous programmes, with
subjects ranging from race, history, art and music. Pogus'
work extends to motivational speaking and he is a lively and popular
compere for many national events.
Pogus
has appeared in BBC dramas including regular parts in 'Casualty'
and 'Dalziel and Pascoe'. He also presented his own radio show 'Off
the Hook' and 'The Windrush E. Smith' for BBC Radio WM.
| Vote
for your favourite... |
As
part of Black History Month 2004 the BBC Birmingham website asked
readers to vote for who do they thought was the greatest black sports,
music or TV personality to come out of Birmingham and the Black
Country?
Take
a look at our reader votes
and comments
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