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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Lenny Henry to get the freedom of his home town Dudley | Lenny Henry to get the freedom of his home town Dudley |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Comedian and actor Lenny Henry is to be awarded the freedom of his home town of Dudley. | |
| He was nominated in September in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to charity" and services to entertainment, the council said. | He was nominated in September in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to charity" and services to entertainment, the council said. |
| Dudley councillors agreed to honour him at a meeting on Monday. | Dudley councillors agreed to honour him at a meeting on Monday. |
| Mr Henry described the news as "bostin", adding that he held "a special place for Dudley in my heart". | |
| He said: "These Black Country thoughts have helped me to endure through good times and bad. | |
| "Memories of Buffery Park and Douglas Road, Constitution Hill and Hall Street and the Canal tunnel and my best friends have permeated my stand-up routines and writing. | |
| "Dudley is a touchstone to me and I hope that comes across in my work." | |
| He was part of ITV children's programme Tiswas, starred in The Lenny Henry Show and Chef on BBC TV and has presented appeals for Comic Relief. | |
| It is thought Henry, who won the New Faces talent competition in 1975 at the age of 18, will be given the award later this year. | It is thought Henry, who won the New Faces talent competition in 1975 at the age of 18, will be given the award later this year. |