Les Dennis: The Life, Career, and Legacy of a British TV Icon

If you grew up watching British television in the late 1980s or 1990s, chances are the name Les Dennis brings an instant smile to your face. From his legendary run hosting Family Fortunes to his surprising turn on Coronation Street, Les Dennis has spent over five decades entertaining the nation. But who exactly is the man behind the microphone? How old is Les Dennis now? Who is Les Dennis married to today? Let’s dive in and get to know this much-loved personality a little better.

Who Is Les Dennis? A Quick Introduction

Les Dennis — born Leslie Dennis Heseltine — is one of Britain’s most recognisable television personalities, comedians, and actors. Born on 12 October 1953 in Garston, Liverpool, England, he grew up in a working-class family with deep roots in the city. His mother worked in a factory, while his father, a WWII Royal Navy veteran, was once listed on Liverpool FC’s books, though he never played for the first team. It’s a wonderfully ordinary beginning for someone who would go on to become anything but ordinary.

Les attended Stockton Wood and Joseph Williams primary schools before moving on to Morrison Rose Lane Secondary Modern and later Quarry Bank Comprehensive from 1967. He left school in June 1972 with an A-level in Art, having not quite hit the mark in History and English Literature — proof that academic results don’t always predict where life will take you.

How Old Is Les Dennis?

So, how old is Les Dennis today? Born on 12 October 1953, Les Dennis is currently 71 years old. He has aged gracefully in the public eye, remaining active in theatre, television, and entertainment well into his seventies. For those wondering what age is Les Dennis — the answer is 71, and he shows no sign of slowing down.

Early Career: From Liverpool Clubs to TV Stardom

Before the glittering lights of national television, Les Dennis was honing his skills the old-fashioned way — performing stand-up comedy in working men’s clubs while he was still at school. He even held down a weekend job at the clothing store Burton during this time, which gives a lovely picture of how grounded and hardworking his early years truly were.

He polished his act on the tough but character-building northern Working Men’s Club circuit, and his big break came when he turned professional after a winning appearance on the ITV talent show New Faces in 1974. From there, he went on to appear in numerous light-entertainment shows, steadily building a loyal fanbase.

Television Career: The Shows That Made Les Dennis a Household Name

Comedy, Variety, and The Russ Abbot Era

Les Dennis really started to make his mark on British TV when he joined Russ Abbot’s Madhouse and The Russ Abbot Show in 1982. It was here he formed a beloved comedy partnership with fellow impressionist Dustin Gee, which eventually led to their own series, The Laughter Show. The duo were a firm favourite with audiences, their chemistry natural and warm. Sadly, following Dustin Gee’s death in January 1986, Dennis continued the show as a solo performer — a testament to his resilience and professionalism.

Les Dennis and Family Fortunes: A Match Made in TV Heaven

When people think of Les Dennis, they almost always think of Les Dennis Family Fortunes — and with very good reason. He presented Family Fortunes for an incredible 15 years, from 1987 to 2002, becoming the most recognisable and popular of all the UK hosts the show ever had. He was actually the third regular presenter, following Bob Monkhouse and Max Bygraves, but it was Les who truly made the show his own.

His warm Liverpudlian accent and his now-legendary catchphrase — “If it’s up there, I’ll give you the money myself!” — made him an iconic figure of British popular culture. Les Dennis Family Fortunes wasn’t just a game show; it was a Saturday night institution that families gathered around together.

TV Shows With Les Dennis: Later Work and New Chapters

After Family Fortunes, Les Dennis certainly didn’t disappear from our screens. In 2006, he announced a return to gameshows with In the Grid for Channel 5, which aired for one series. He appeared as a fictionalised version of himself in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s acclaimed comedy Life’s Too Short in 2011, showing he had a great sense of humour about his own public persona.

One of his most talked-about later roles was joining Coronation Street in 2014, playing petty burglar Michael Rodwell. It was a serious dramatic departure from his game show days, and he pulled it off brilliantly — though sadly, his character was killed off in November 2016. For fans wondering about tv shows with Les Dennis, his Coronation Street stint remains one of the most memorable.

Why is Les Dennis on Countdown? That question trended online in August 2021 when he stepped in as a guest host while the regular presenter Colin Murray was isolating due to COVID-19. It was a fun, well-received stint that reminded audiences just how versatile and comfortable on camera Les Dennis really is. And yes — Les Dennis Countdown viewers loved every minute of it.

In 2023, he also took part in Strictly Come Dancing Series 21, although he became the first celebrity eliminated from that series. Still, his appearance was warmly received by fans who were simply delighted to see him back in the spotlight.

Theatre Career: A Serious Actor With a Stellar Stage Record

Many people might be surprised to learn just how extensive and impressive Les Dennis’s theatre career truly is. He has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, appearing in restoration plays The Provoked Wife and Venice Preserved — a far cry from the buzzer sounds of Family Fortunes.

His West End and touring theatre credits read like a who’s who of beloved productions, including Hairspray, Spamalot, She Loves Me, Chicago, Me and My Girl, and End of the Pier. In October 2022, he starred as Grandad in Only Fools and Horses The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London — a role that clearly suited him beautifully.

More recently, he featured in the UK tours of 42nd Street and Ghost between 2023 and 2025, and is set to play Old Joe in the tenth anniversary UK tour of the Sara Bareilles musical Waitress in 2026. The stage, it seems, is very much where Les Dennis now thrives.

Film Work

Beyond television and the stage, Les Dennis has also appeared on the big screen. His film credits include Sideshow, Wounded (which won Best Feature at the Marbella Film Festival), and Intimate Relations. He is also well remembered for his appearance in Ricky Gervais’s Extras in 2005 — another example of his willingness to send himself up with great good humour.

Les Dennis’s Wife: Who Is He Married To?

Les Dennis’s personal life has, at times, attracted as much attention as his professional career — and understandably so.

First Marriage: Lynne Webster

Les Dennis was first married to Lynne Webster, with the couple tying the knot in 1974. Their marriage lasted until 1990, and together they have a son.

Les Dennis and Amanda Holden

Perhaps the most widely discussed chapter of his personal life is his relationship with actress and TV personality Amanda Holden. Les Dennis and Amanda Holden married on 4 June 1995, and their wedding was a high-profile event that captured significant public interest. The couple’s relationship, however, was not without its difficulties. Amanda Holden and Les Dennis separated in December 2002, following her affair with actor Neil Morrissey. The breakdown of Amanda Holden and Les Dennis’s marriage was widely reported in the press, and it was clearly a painful period for Les. Was Amanda Holden married to Les Dennis? Yes — and their relationship remains one of the most talked-about celebrity marriages of that era.

Les Dennis Wife Today: Claire Nicholson

So who is Les Dennis married to now? Since 23 November 2009, Les Dennis has been happily married to Claire Nicholson. The couple have one child together. When people ask how old is Les Dennis’s wife, Claire Nicholson was born in 1971, making her around 54 years old. By all accounts, Les Dennis and Claire enjoy a happy, settled life together — a lovely chapter after what was clearly a turbulent period in his personal life.

Is Les Dennis married? Absolutely — and very happily so, it seems.

Les Dennis Children

Les Dennis has children from two of his relationships. He has a son with his first wife, Lynne Webster, and a child with his current wife, Claire Nicholson. Fatherhood has clearly been an important part of his life, though he tends to keep his family life relatively private and out of the media glare.

Les Dennis Net Worth

A question many fans ask is: what is Les Dennis’s net worth? While exact figures are difficult to verify, estimates suggest that Les Dennis’s net worth sits in the region of £4–5 million, accumulated over more than 50 years in showbusiness. Between his long-running hosting career — particularly his 15 years on Family Fortunes — his theatre work, television appearances, and film roles, it is fair to say he has built a very comfortable life for himself and his family.

Where Does Les Dennis Live Now?

So where does Les Dennis live now? Les Dennis is believed to reside in the UK, though he keeps the specifics of his home life understandably private. He remains active in the entertainment industry, regularly taking on theatre touring productions and television appearances throughout Britain.

Is Les Dennis Still Alive?

Given his occasional absence from the public eye, some fans have found themselves wondering: is Les Dennis still alive? The answer is a resounding yes! Les Dennis is very much alive, active, and busy with his career. He continues to perform in theatre productions, make television appearances, and engage warmly with his many loyal fans.

Les Dennis Now: What Is He Up To?

Les Dennis now is as busy as ever. In recent years, he has kept himself firmly on the entertainment map — filming a travel series for Channel 5, taking on a guest lead in the Jimmy McGovern drama Moving On, and starring in the Christmas Special of Birds of a Feather. Throw in his upcoming role in the Waitress musical tour in 2026, and it is clear this is a man who has no intention of retiring quietly.

Legacy: Why Les Dennis Matters

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Les Dennis has evolved from a young stand-up performing in working men’s clubs in Liverpool to a genuinely respected and multi-talented entertainer. His affable, self-deprecating style made him a favourite with audiences throughout his career, and he became synonymous with Family Fortunes during his remarkable 15-year run. But Les Dennis is so much more than one TV show — he is a versatile actor, a skilled stage performer, and a beloved figure in British entertainment.

Whether you remember him for Family Fortunes, Coronation Street, his appearances on Countdown, or his West End productions, one thing is certain: Les Dennis has left a lasting and genuinely warm mark on British popular culture, and long may that continue.

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