Lenny Henry's My London

Home is…

Central London, opposite a building site. They start work every morning at 7.30am — it drives me crazy.

Last play you saw?

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the National. It was a perfect adaptation; funny and incredibly moving. I liked everything about it, apart from certain audience members checking Facebook throughout.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

Taken me for dinner at Le Gavroche.

Best place for a first date?

The Delaunay — it’s such a lovely restaurant. There’s great food and a great atmosphere.

First thing you do when you arrive home?

Put a dark wash on.

Favourite shops?

Fopp in Earlham Street for DVDs and books; Foyles on Charing Cross Road because the staff really know their books and there’s a cool DVD and record store-cum-café upstairs; Orbital Comics on Great Newport Street; Mishkin’s opposite Theatre Royal Drury Lane for the onion rings; and House A Sauvage on Maddox Street because it’s the coolest London-African tailor in London.

Best meal you’ve had?

The red pea and mutton soup at Jerk City never fails to remind me of my mum’s cooking, and the seafood at J Sheekey is pretty damn hot, too.

Earliest memory?

When I was 17 I used to live in Wembley and made some good friends who I still see today. We used to go to Maxwell’s in Hampstead and then on to Gullivers in Mayfair to dance all night.

Biggest extravagance?

I am slowly transforming my house into an exact replica of House Lannister in Game of Thrones.

Which building would you most like to live in?

20 Portman Square, an extraordinary Georgian building. Anthony Blunt used to live there and it was once the Courtauld Institute of Art. It’s now the private members’ club Home House, and each time I go there I wander around wishing I lived there.

What would you do as Mayor for the day?

Keep my head down, probably.

Favourite pub?

I’m not mad keen on pubs or clubs. There’s a tiny place called Koha around the corner from Wyndham’s Theatre where the food is delicious and very wholesome. The waiters are very good-looking, though, so prepare to be well jealous.

Who’s your hero?

I loved Richard Pryor. He had the ability to cut to the bone with his glaringly honest portrayals of life, love, race and sex in the US. I also loved Tommy Cooper. He just had to exhale on stage and it was funny.

Best thing a cabbie has said to you?

‘You staying in a Travelodge tonight, Ainsley?’ I kid you not.

Which building would you like to be locked in overnight?

The British Museum, just to see if everything comes alive like in Night at the Museum.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

‘Work hard, lad. You’re not everyone’s cup of tea so you’ll have to graft,’ from comedian Charlie Williams.

What animal would you like to be?

A meerkat. They get a killer deal on car insurance.

Last album you downloaded?

BB King Live in Cook County Jail. It’s pretty damn fine, and there’s a song called ‘How Blue Can You Get?’ that’s hilarious.