Lenny Henry urges Birmingham pupils to follow artistic dreams with video and gallery

The Dudley-born star took part in a Q&A session with pupils in Birmingham and urged them to follow their artistic dreams.

Posing for pictures, he led the group of students in a re-enactment of the dance from Michael Jackson's Thriller, before giving an impromptu speech about Othello and his love for Shakespeare.

The star, who was dressed in a grey suit, black t-shirt and trainers, also recalled his own beginnings as a performer.

Sir Lenny discussed his first theatre trip to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre with his family.

The Comic Relief co-founder said his mother worked three jobs - joking it was actually four as she had to run the family.

"My mum was very hard-working and once a year she took us to watch a panto - the first one I saw was at The Alexandra in Birmingham."

He told the audience of youngsters at Shenley Academy that the current generation have access to more opportunities to get involved with the arts at a young age - and urged them to take advantage.

"They're making the arts much more available through other things," Sir Lenny said.

"When I was at school we had drama which involved running around the hall while a teacher had a fag outside.

"I think the arts is a brilliant thing which expands your mind and creativity is great."

He added: "I think the best art is probably the art you make yourself - learning how to make up your own plays, learning how to improvise and do something you can be proud of.

"Art isn't just Shakespeare or Dryden...it's also what you make for yourself too."

Sir Lenny was speaking as he launched was launching a new National Theatre project - On Demand in Schools Primary - which lets schools show to-class theatre shows for free.

The initiative sees National Theatre performances recorded in high definition in front of a live theatre.

Schools can then play these in lessons to teach pupils about drama.