Les Dennis

Profession: TV Presenter
Place/Date of Birth: Liverpool, Lancashire, 12 October 2020
Assiociated with: Amanda Holden

He’ll play the part of a singer in ITV1’s The Quest II, which is directed by and stars David Jason. Dennis will play the part of singer Johnny Regal, who comperes the Miss Isle of Man beauty contest.

Les’s hometown flop - 02/07/03
Les Dennis has cancelled his hometown gig in Liverpool after only selling 30 tickets.

The former Family Fortunes host was due to appear at the Liverpool comedy festival, but there was no way he was able to fill the 1,900-seater theatre.

According to the promoters Les had to cancel as he was being offered TV work that was ’too big to turn down.’ Whatever!

Not Cutting It - 23/03/03
So how much would you bid to own a lock of hair from Camden resident Les Dennis’s head?

In a celebrity hair auction for Comic Relief - stars from Gareth Gates to Les took their hair trimmings along for lucky fans to bid for. The star attraction proved to be Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe - a fan paid up to £751 for the hairs on his head - some fans would say that is dedicated - I just think its is scary!

But Les didn’t fair quite so well as that - his blonde wispy locks raised a whopping £35. Oh well Les - at least you raised a smile too!

Moving On - 03/03/03
Les Dennis has dropped the price on the home he shared with Amanda Holden to get a quick sale.

He has taken £650,000 off the asking price of the Primrose Hill house, but that still means it is on the market for £2.6 m - not exactly peanuts.

But you do get a landscaped garden and your own cinema - perfect for watching re-runs of Cutting It.

Les finds new love - 25/02/03
It seems that Camden resident Les Dennis has something to smile about again.

Les looked the picture of happiness as he strolled hand in hand with his new girlfriend who is, wait for it - a beautiful blonde in her twenties! The pair were spotted on a sunshine break in Spain, as they cuddled passionately on the beach.

He booked himself and his new woman into the £250 a night room at the hotel under the name of Mr and Mrs Les Dennis - cheeky, Amanda Holden is still really ’Mrs Dennis!’, even if they split up two months ago!

Yet another Crossroad for Les - 10/01/03
Primrose Hill resident Les Dennis has signed up for a one-week role in Crossroads - and could become a regular on the ITV soap.

As soon as he returns from his New Year break in South Africa he will begin filming the part of psychiatrist Dr Richmond.

The End - 30/12/02
Surprise surprise Les Dennis and Amanda Holden have announced the end of their seven- year marriage.

A statement issued on the couple’s behalf said: "It is with great sadness that Les Dennis and Amanda Holden announce that their seven-year marriage has come to an end. "The parting is amicable. There are no other parties involved and they are and will remain close friends."

Holden, 31, said: "It is very sad. We have been together for 10 years and we have tried hard to make our marriage work. I have the most enormous love and respect for Les."

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Biography

Born on October 12 1954, Leslie Dennis Heseltine hails from that leading provider of entertainment personnel, Liverpool. Les began his comedy career in the 1980s, with appearances on Russ Abbot’s Madhouse, it was during this time he hooked up with impressionist Dustin Gee, forming a moderately successful double act with their own television specials and headline appearances. However, when Gee died in 1986 the future of Les’ career looked in doubt. The Les Dennis Laughter Show and a permanant guest spot with Russ Abbot followed while the host’s job on Central’s Family Fortunes secured Les a place in cheesey televisual history. The job would last an incredible fifteen years.

Les married young actress Amanda Holden in 1995 but despite seeming the happy TV couple it was revealed in 2000 that Amanda was having an affair with Neil Morrissey. The couple tried to patch their marriage up but following Les’ tabloid-worthy appearance on Celebrity Big Brother (he came second to Mark Owen but showed signs of a break down) they announced that they were to split. Les and Amanda divorced in 2003.

It looked as though things were all but over for Les, his marriage had collapsed, he was no longer presenting the game show that had endeared him to a nation and the tabloids were hungry for details of every part of his life - not out of concern but so that they could jeer at his delicate state. However, the offer of a part in Ricky Gervais’ Extras provided the ideal opportunity for Les. Playing himself Les made several jokes about his flailing career and played on his reported depression - the half hour appearance made the outof work comedian a hero once again.

Since the Extras appearance Les has played serious roles on television, including a one off part in The Bill and now presents In The Grid, a rival to Deal or No Deal, for Five. He has also returned to the stage in Marlon Brando’s Corset. Things ae certainly looking up for the man once known for nothing more than a Mavis Riley impression.
updated January 2007

October 2007