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Who is Les Dennis? Actor and former Family Fortunes presenter to guest host Countdown

 (Dave Benett)
(Dave Benett)

Les Dennis has announced that he will guest host Countdown in early August, after Anne Robinson’s final episode aired earlier this month.

Colin Murray has temporarily replaced Robinson until the end of this year, but Dennis will step in for a limited time from 4th August until 15th August.

Announcing his role as a guest host, Dennis posted on Twitter: “From 4th August until 15th I shall be hosting the iconic @C4Countdown. It is such an honour. Hope you enjoy.”

Robinson hosted the iconic gameshow for just over a year, and when she announced her departure she said she had “stayed longer than [she] signed up for”.

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From Family Fortunes to Coronation Street, Les Dennis’ TV career has spanned nearly 40 years.

Here’s everything you need to know about the TV star.

Who is Les Dennis?

Les Dennis is a 69-year-old presenter, actor and comedian, who was born in Liverpool on October 12, 1953, where his dad worked in a betting shop, and his mother worked in a factory.

Dennis has been married three times. In 1974 he wed Lynne Webster, before they got divorced in 1990, before marrying Amanda Holden in 1995.

Their marriage lasted until 2003 and he later wed Claire Nicholson in 2009.

From his first marriage, he has one son, Philip Heseltine, and from his third marriage, he has two children, Eleanor Grace and Thomas Christopher with wife Claire.

Which programmes has Les Dennis starred in?

Les Dennis is best known for presenting Family Fortunes from 1987 to 2001.

Prior to this, he took part in a number of comedy and impressionist TV series’, which saw him partner with fellow impressionist Dustin Gee on series The Laughter Show.

After he left Family Fortunes, he made appearances on Casualty, Merseybeat, Family Affairs, and Hotel Babylon.

In 2002, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, whilst his marriage to Amanda Holden was breaking down.

He also played Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street.

In 2020, he played Graeme in Birds of a Feather alongside his on-screen love interest Dorien Green, played by Lesley Joseph, 76.