'The response was hilarious': WATCH Lenny Henry on THAT Ainsley Harriott gaffe

The comedian was back in his hometown to be honoured with an award.

Sir Lenny, who was anointed a Knight of the Realm on Friday, had a paving stone laid in his honour in the town's Buffery Park yesterday.

And he laughed off a now infamous ITV gaffe which saw the broadcaster use footage of TV chef Ainsley Harriott in their report of his knighthood

Sir Lenny was recognised by MOBO and ITV2 with the 'paving the way' award for his career achievements. Recipients of the award all have a permanent stone laid in a place which shaped them.

Sir Lenny, 57, spoke of his delight at the stone being installed in the 'legendary' park, where he spent his formative years.

Winning the MOBO left him 'over the moon, it slightly edged the knighthood', according to the Comic Relief founder.

Speaking at the unveiling, he said: "When I found out they were going to put a paving stone in Buffery Park I was literally knocked off my feet – because you can't really put a knighthood in the middle of Buffery Park.

"It's a wonderful thing because this is where we used to play.

"I think the things that happen in your formative years stick with you, and this is where I'm from, so it's a huge honour."

The star spoke of Buffery Park with immense fondness. But what are his abiding memories of it?

"First snog, first puff of a cigarette, first regret of first puff of a cigarette, also regret of first snog. First attempt at Northern Soul dancing, a trip to A&E as a result of first attempt at Northern Soul dancing, and many other things," he said.

"This is where I first did Tommy Cooper for my friends, this is the first place where I first improvised and did impressions and told jokes.

"Dudley is a legendary place and Buffery Park is a legend within that legend, so I can't forget it.

"It's great that the MOBO paving stone is here – it deserves to be."

A jovial Sir Lenny joked people might 'walk over' the stone before realising it honours him and then turn back to look at it.

The stone includes an inscription of a quote chosen by Sir Lenny from Danny and The Human Zoo, his semi-autobiographical drama that aired earlier this year – 'Dudley's great. Nothin' wrong with Dudley.' He hopes future generations coming across the feature will be inspired to follow their dreams as he did.

Sir Lenny said: "It doesn't matter where you're from. You can look up to the stars, you can reach, and you should never give up. There were many, many times when I was living around here when I thought I might not get where I wanted to go. But with the support of everybody around me I was able to do what I wanted to do.

"You don't get anywhere without the support of your family and friends and the people you care about.

"Without Dudley there's no me."

Being knighted at Windsor Castle last week was a 'fantastic' experience, Sir Lenny said. For the unveiling of the paving stone to follow soon after made it doubly sweet.

Sir Lenny said: "It was a great day. You think you're going to be cool and go 'it's just Windsor Castle, it's just a knighthood', but when you get there there's no being cool about it. It was a fantastic day."

Controversy was sparked by ITV's coverage of Sir Lenny receiving his knighthood, when the broadcaster mistakenly cut to a clip of TV chef Ainsley Harriott.

However, Sir Lenny laughed off the blunder. "The response from Twitter was hilarious," he said.

"People were going, 'that's not Lenny Henry, Denzel Washington is Lenny Henry,' or, 'that's not Lenny Henry, Dizzee Rascal is Lenny Henry'.

"Between Twitter's ridiculing of the whole thing and ITN's swift and professional response it was sorted.

"They made a mistake and they fixed it."

Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member responsible for parks, said: "We're all so proud of Lenny for having achieved so much. We're delighted that he has chosen to have his stone placed in Buffery Park as it will serve as a great reminder to the borough's young people that they can achieve great things too."