Les Dennis

Biography

Les Dennis (born Leslie Dennis Heseltine on October 12, 1954 in Liverpool, Lancashire) is an English television presenter and actor. He appeared on many light-entertainment shows, mainly with Russ Abbott before landing the gig as host of popular ITV gameshow Family Fortunes from 1986 to 2002. Dennis has also appeared in theatre, soaps (with Brookside, Holby City', Crossroads, The Bill, Merseybeat and Casualty) and embarked upon a brief foray into the world of film. After his role in Extras in 2005, Dennis enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, and has since hosted his own gameshow on Channel Five, entitled In The Grid. Does a good impression of Mavis Riley from Coronation Street

Extras

Dennis guest-starred as himself in Extras, co-written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Playing upon the demise of his career, his past work on Family Fortunes, his marriage problems, the Les Dennis character is one of the more genuine, believable and empathetic celebrities in the history of Extras. Gervais' character, Andy Millman, meets Dennis on the set of the pantomime show Aladdin, in which Millman plays the role of the overly camp genie. Dennis is convinced he's turned his life around after some bad years, but is brought crashing back to earth when Millman reveals that Dennis' fiance is cheating on him. Dennis then storms off stage during a performance and embarks upon a meaningless one night stand, which features a sex scene including many of Dennis' catchphrases from Family Fortunes.