Comedian Dawn French has opened up about having to hire a security team, after racists tried to burn her house down that she shared with ex-husband, Lenny Henry
The stars reportedly faced a number of racist threats while living together with their daughter, Billie, French told The Sunday Times. The pair were married for 25 years before separating in 2010.
The Vicar of Dibley actress spoke about how the couple were subjected to racial hatred. She explained:
"I fell in love with a man and he happened to be black, and we adopted a mixed-race daughter. I only realised it was an issue when there was hatred from utter twa*s".
Dawn continued; "I had to attend to it when people tried to burn our house down and left sh*t on the door. But although that was hugely disappointing and shocking, you have to get past it."
The star said that her experiences "make you steel up a bit and think, 'Bring it on'. We were lucky we had a big house and a gate and could employ people to protect us when we needed it. Lots of mixed-race couples weren't so lucky".
Dawn has since remarried, to current husband Mark Bignell. After their wedding back in 2012, she explained how she was worried about dating again following her split from Lenny.
She said at the time; "I thought oh god, what do I do now? Do I have to do dating? How repulsive. I'll have to buy new pants. I did do some dating and it was excruciating and difficult as I'm not an accomplished flirter...
Then, bang, I met somebody else. I started to claim my life back. It's a life with him".
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