23 June 2023 , 09:23
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Keith Lemon entertained millions on Celebrity Juice and Bo'Selecta but Leigh Francis has now spoken about the character's origins.
The comic, 50, appeared on Good Morning Britain as himself, rather than one of his elaborate characters which viewers often see across their screens.
After celebrating his landmark birthday, Leeds-born Leigh explained that things had to change, explaining: "50 years of age, I want to change direction now.
"I got asked to do panto, I said 'Oh I don't want to do panto', I know everyone loves panto, I said 'I should do my own show'."
It comes following the news that Celebrity Juice would not be renewed with the final episode airing on December 15, 2022, 14 years after it first aired.
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Leigh Francis has revealed the real inspiration behind his character Keith Lemon (ITV)But Leigh has also disclosed where he got the inspiration for his character and the revelation is certainly unexpected.
"What about Keith Lemon though, the real Keith Lemon though?" asked host Ben Shephard, as Ranvir Singh exclaimed: "This is a story!"
Sharing the huge news, Leigh revealed: "Yes, that's my friend that I've known since I were three.
"I said to him, 'I'll say your name on TV', and he said 'How are you going to do that?' I said 'I'll give a character your name!' and then... This happened!"
Keith Lemon is Leigh's real best friend (ITV)Viewers were shown a string of pictures of Leigh as Keith Lemon, alongside his real friend, Keith Lemon.
"Hang on, is this you with Keith Lemon?!" asked a shocked Ranvir, before Leigh added: "Yeah, there he is – that's me there.
"Back then, he used to carry a picture of me in his wallet to prove that he were a friend, it looks weird, it looks like we're lovers!"
Ben went on to reveal that the real Keith acted as Leigh's best man at his wedding to Jill Carter back in 2002, with Leigh adding: "He was my best man, yeah.
"His best man speech was very unique."
Days prior to his appearance on Good Morning Britian, Leigh was a special guest on The One Show and left viewers at home completely stunned as he was introduced as himself for the first time.
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Viewers later took to social media to share their shock as they didn't realise Keith Lemon was a real person rather than a character.
One said: "I prefer Leigh Francis as himself." While a second viewer went on to write: "I had no idea there was a real Keith Lemon."