'Blimey, he looks 30 years younger!': Twitter is sent into a frenzy over 58-year-old Lenny Henry's youthful and slim appearance as he presents Comic Relief for the 12th time

By Katie Storey For Mailonline

Published: 16:39 EDT, 24 March 2017 | Updated: 16:51 EDT, 24 March 2017

He has been championing Comic Relief since he co-founded the charity back in 1985. 

And Lenny Henry certainly grabbed attention while presenting its annual broadcast on Friday night. 

Comic Relief 2017 was momentarily overshadowed by the comedian, 58, as his appearance onscreen had struck viewers thanks to his youthful visage and slimmed down frame.

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'Good effort, Sir!': Lenny Henry caused a stir on Twitter on Friday night while presenting Comic Relief 2017 on the BBC

'Good effort, Sir!': Lenny Henry caused a stir on Twitter on Friday night while presenting Comic Relief 2017 on the BBC

Lenny - who has presented Comic Relief for 12 years now - kicked off the show's festivities by showcasing his twerking skills. 

He joined a gaggle of dancers to show off his fancy footwork and gave Beyonce a run for her money as he shimmied and wiggled his way through the opening number, before resuming his usual hosting duties.

Viewers at home rushed to Twitter after seeing a suit-clad Lenny on their TV screen, with many baffled by how well the star has aged over the years. 

Fans joked that he is 'aging backwards' while others complimented Lenny on his svelte physique. 

'Lenny Henry ages backwards, right?': Fans were quick to comment on the comedian's youthful and slim appearance with many quipping the star has aged well

'Lenny Henry ages backwards, right?': Fans were quick to comment on the comedian's youthful and slim appearance with many quipping the star has aged well

He's a regular! This year marks his 12th year presenting the show - Lenny first held the reins in 2003 and for five consecutive years, before taking a hiatus in 2008 and returning in 2011

He's a regular! This year marks his 12th year presenting the show - Lenny first held the reins in 2003 and for five consecutive years, before taking a hiatus in 2008 and returning in 2011

They penned: 'Well Lenny Henry must be getting tips from @Pharell he looks 18 years old!!! Good luck Sir Lenny!!

'Blimey, Lenny Henry looks 30 years younger, good effort sir.

'How is Lenny Henry managing to look about twenty years younger?!

'Lenny Henry ages backwards right?

'Lenny Henry doesn't seem to age.' 

Others found themselves left impressed by Lenny's weight loss. 

'Lenny Henry got hot!': Some fans appeared to develop a crush on the Harry Potter star

'Lenny Henry got hot!': Some fans appeared to develop a crush on the Harry Potter star

One fan gushed: 'OMG how skinny does Lenny Henry look?' 

While another added: 'Lenny Henry is looking mighty fine.' 

A slew of others wrote: 'Lenny Henry has lost so much weight.  

'Lenny Henry is 58. He looks amazing #rednoseday.' 

Some Twitter users appeared to develop a crush on the Harry Potter actor, with one gushing: 'Lenny Henry got HOT #comicrelief.'

Another agreed and said: 'Lenny Henry is looking very handsome tonight.' 

'Lenny Henry has lost so much weight!': Viewers claimed they hardly recognised Lenny as he set about hosting Comic Relief for the 12th time

'Lenny Henry has lost so much weight!': Viewers claimed they hardly recognised Lenny as he set about hosting Comic Relief for the 12th time

The TV presenter was hit with a mountain of compliments just minutes into Comic Relief airing. 

He is just one of the many celebrities getting involved with the charity this year and 2017 marks his 12th year presenting the show. 

Lenny first held the reins in 2003 for five consecutive years, before taking a hiatus and returning in 2011.  

 Back in the day! Lenny (pictured in 2007) has been so involved with Comic Relief's annual broadcast after co-founding the charity back in 1985

 Back in the day! Lenny (pictured in 2007) has been so involved with Comic Relief's annual broadcast after co-founding the charity back in 1985

A far cry from himself! Lenny (pictured left back in 2011 ) cut a noticeable svelter figure on Comic Relief this year - compared to his previous years on the show
A far cry from himself! Lenny (pictured left back in 2011 ) cut a noticeable svelter figure on Comic Relief this year - compared to his previous years on the show

A far cry from himself! Lenny (pictured left back in 2011 ) cut a noticeable svelter figure on Comic Relief this year - compared to his previous years on the show 

This year, meanwhile, an emotional Ed Sheeran documented his trip to Liberia's captial Monrovia where he met those who receive first hand help from the cause. 

And James Corden has teamed up with Take That to film a special spinoff based on his much loved Carpool Karoke that features on The Late Late Show over in the US.

Viewers will also be hotly anticipating the sequel to Love Actually. 

New member? James teamed up with the Take That boys to belt out their hits in his car

New member? James teamed up with the Take That boys to belt out their hits in his car

Love Actually is back! Keira Knightley has reunited with her co-stars to film a 10 minute sequel to the 2003 release in aid of Comic Relief

Love Actually is back! Keira Knightley has reunited with her co-stars to film a 10 minute sequel to the 2003 release in aid of Comic Relief

The cast of the 2003 release have reunited in aid of Comic Relief and put together a 10 minute follow up to the much-loved film. 

Fans got a first look at what's to come in a teaser trailer released earlier this week.  

Kiera Knightley, Bill Nighy, Andrew Lincoln and Liam Neeson and Love Actually's remaining stars joked over who has aged the best while re-creating Lincoln's famous card scene where he silently declared his love for Knightley's character Juliet. 

Those cards! The cast recreated Andrew Lincoln's memorable scene in the much-loved movie for a teaser trailer that had been released prior to Comic Relief's broadcast

Those cards! The cast recreated Andrew Lincoln's memorable scene in the much-loved movie for a teaser trailer that had been released prior to Comic Relief's broadcast

Poor Colin! Hugh Grant and his co-stars joked over who had aged best over the years, prompting him to take a swipe at his Bridget Jones' co-star Colin Firth

Poor Colin! Hugh Grant and his co-stars joked over who had aged best over the years, prompting him to take a swipe at his Bridget Jones' co-star Colin Firth

 

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