Then, in 2010, the bombshell dropped. After 25 years of marriage, they announced their separation. The world gasped. I think I actually choked on a digestive biscuit. How could they split up? They were the comedy equivalent of bread and butter!
Second time lucky as Dawn French weds new love Mark Bignell on Cornish
The reason? It wasn’t a dramatic affair or a bitter feud—it was far more human. They simply grew apart. Dawn later explained that they had married so young (she was 26, he was 25) that they evolved into different people. It was a mature, painful acknowledgment that sometimes love isn’t enough to survive the passage of time. But here’s the kicker: they remained best friends. No ugly court battles, just two people who still adored each other as humans, even if the marriage was over.
The Aftermath: Lenny’s New Chapter
Lenny, being the dignified gentleman he is, later revealed he had a years-long struggle with depression and feelings of inadequacy. He even admitted he once tried to pay Dawn to stay married because he was terrified of losing her. Yes, you read that right: he offered her cash. Dawn, being Dawn, reportedly just laughed and said no. It’s both heartbreaking and hilarious—like a scene from a tragicomedy they forgot they were writing.
Today, Lenny is happy with his partner, Lisa Makin, a teacher he met after the split. Dawn reportedly gave her blessing, because of course she did. She’s the kind of ex-wife who probably sends Christmas cards to the new girlfriend.
