Sir Lenny Henry: Stand up to racism in wake of Brexit

The actor and presenter described how he witnessed 'two big white-van men just effing and blinding, talking about sending people back to their country' on a train after the referendum.

The 58-year-old told a newspaper that he went into shock and 'couldn't breathe' after hearing their discussion.

"I've not been called a racist name since I was at secondary modern school," he said.

"I was literally in shock. I couldn't breathe," he told the paper's magazine.

"What was interesting is that people in the train carriage didn't say anything.

"I think we have to be a bit braver and call it out when we see it.

"But that means putting yourself at risk."

Sir Lenny said it takes just one person to speak out against such behaviour in order for others to do so.

"We could do it as a gang," he told the paper.

"We're not asking you to be Liam Neeson in Taken."

Last month, Sir Lenny caused a stir when he shouted at the audience and walked off stage during Red Nose Day.

He berated the audience for making too much noise.