KEITH Lemon has enjoyed a career in comedy for more than 20 years.
But who is he and what is his real name? From his career in front of the cameras to the fortune he has amassed – here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Keith Lemon and what is his real name?
Keith Lemon, whose real name is Leigh Francis, was born on April 30, 1973, in Leeds, Yorkshire.
He is a television presenter, actor, writer and comedian who is best known for his role in the Channel 4 sketch show Bo’ Selecta and his alter ego – Keith Lemon.
I’ll also be playing Keith Lemon, I look just like him!
Leigh Francis
As Keith, the comedic character quickly became a hit among fans.
Following this success, the star went on to host shows such as Celebrity Juice and Through the Keyhole.
Away from the spotlight, the comedian has been married to wife Jill Carter since 2002.
The couple share two daughters, Matilda and Dolly and live together in North London.
In March 2024, the star will begin his first ever live tour – My First Time.
Confirming the upcoming gig, Francis said: “Hey, really exciting news! Well, exciting for me! I hope it’s exciting for you! Or at least provokes some sort of interest!
“I mean, just look how many exclamation marks there is in this quote! It’s definitely news with exciting intent!
“So what is this exciting news? I’m doing my first-ever tour! Never done one before. It’s gonna have masks in it! The Bear, Avid Merrion, Amanda Holden’s Gran, not her actual gran but me playing her.
“I’ll also be playing Keith Lemon, I look just like him! It’s me doing all the characters I do that hopefully have the intent to provoke hilarity! So many exclamation marks, and the word ‘intent’ and ‘provoke’ twice! I’m excited!
“Come see ME being other people LIVE for the first time!
“It’ll be your first time and my first time! Hence the title of the tour MY FIRST TIME! (There’s another exclamation mark) how exciting!”
What is Keith Lemon’s net worth?
In 2023, the stars net worth was estimated to be in the region of £8 million.
Francis has been able to earn the impressive amount throughout his successful career both on stage and screen.
What has Keith Lemon starred in?
Francis was first discovered by television presenter Davina McCall – who spotted him when he was doing stand-up comedy.
Davina helped him get his first television role on Dom and Kirk’s Nite O’ Plenty, where he played Bobby Stark, a man who gives tips on how to win over the ladies.
The series aired on Paramount Television from January to July 1996.
His second television role was playing showbiz photographer Barry Gibson who featured on the early series of Channel 4’s Popworld.
Francis also featured Barry, along with Keith Lemon and Avid Merrion in the series Whatever I Want, which aired late night on ITV in 2000.
Off the back of creating television characters Bobby Stark and Barry Gibson, Channel 4 handed Leigh £250,000 to produce a series, later called Bo Selecta! in 2002.
The series saw the star impersonate a number of celebrities with rubber face masks, along with the main, non-celebrity character, Avid Merrion.
The programme lasted for five series, airing between 2002 and 2006.
Following the axing of Bo’ Selecta!, Francis took one of the series characters, Keith Lemon, and created a brand new show, Keith Lemon’s Very Brilliant World Tour, which aired on ITV2 in April 2008.
The show was a success, and subsequently, he created another show featuring Keith – Celebrity Juice.
Since then, he has appeared on various shows including Keith Lemon’s LemonAid, The Keith Lemon Sketch Show and Keith Lemon: Coming In America.
In addition to this, the comedian has starred in a movie called Keith Lemon: The Film.
Is Keith Lemon on The Great Celebrity Bake Off 2024?
In 2024, it was revealed that Leigh Francis was part of the Celebrity Bake Off line-up – which is set to air in the spring.
Francis will be joined in the famous white tent by a batch of well known faces, including Danny Dyer, Fern Brady, Mel B, Sara Cox and Spencer Matthews.
As well as a whole host of hopeful celebrity contestants, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will be back to judge their efforts and pick the overall winner.
Alison Hammond will also return after her debut series in 2023, as well as Noel Fielding.
