• 'Some black people stop being black - they become Will Smith': Lenny Henry accuses Men in Black star of failing to stay true to his raceVeteran star attacked Smith for not using fame to help diversity on screen Sir Lenny hit back at comments made by Star Wars actor John BoyegaHollywood directors and writers also came under fire from the comedianClaimed BBC has 'very, very white' culture and is 'an oppressive institution'Comments made in wake of government's White Paper on BBCCulture Secretary has outlined on-screen diversity targets for broadcaster Published: 03:28 EST, 15 May 2016
• ' The Dudley-born star made similar comments in his acceptance speech at last week's Baftas, where he collected the prestigious Special Award in recognition of his career in television.Calling on the BBC to implement change, he said: 'If it feels like I'm banging on a bit about diversity all the time its because I believe in increasing it so we truly reflect our fantastic nation, ensuring that all those 14 years old out there, superglued to their phones who hope to work in TV, irrespective of their race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, can realise that ambition as I was able to realise mine.
• Sir Lenny, who co-founded Comic Relief with director Richard Curtis, also hit back at black British star John Boyega, 24, who recently came under fire for apparently criticising people who complain about lack of diversity in film and television.Boyega was forced to clarify his comments after he said: 'To complain about what is going on is not going to benefit us.
• Be the change you want to be'.Of the Star Wars actor, Sir Lenny said: "Meritocracy works on a level playing field.
• Under fire: Actors Will Smith and John Boyega were both critcised by Sir Lenny Henry for not helping to improve the situation for black actors working in the film and television industriesSir Lenny's comments come shortly after the government this week highlighted the need for greater diversity within the BBC.Culture Secretary John Whittingdale's White Paper includes targets for on-screen ethnic minority, gay and disabled actors.Diversity will be part of the corporation’s mission statement for the first time, in a bid to make the BBC ‘the leading broadcaster promoting diversity’.Mr Whittingdale said the BBC should ‘accurately and authentically represent and portray the lives of people across the UK’ while ‘raising awareness of the different cultures and the alternative viewpoints that make up its society’.The new targets mean that 15 per cent of lead roles on television and radio will go to minority actors by 2020.
