Lenny to leave the blues behind for secret gig.

Byline: Tony Larner

COMIC Lenny Henry is putting his marriage troubles behind him to play in a secret rock 'n' roll Christmas gig.

The funnyman has battled to save his relationship with fellow star Dawn French since it was revealed he spent the night with a hotel receptionist.

Now Dudley-born Lenny, who has been receiving treatment for depression, is bouncing back with one of his first public performances since the scandal broke.

He will be singing the blues for fun when he fronts a showbiz R&B band at a hush-hush Midland show.

In May, newspapers told how Australian Merri Cheyne had spent the night in Lenny's hotel room during a UK tour. The pretty receptionist, 27, admitted the secret liaison but denied sleeping with him.

Devastated Dawn eventually forgave her husband who has since received treatment for depression at London's Priory Clinic.

The couple, who have a seven-year-old adopted daughter Billie, now look to have saved their marriage.

And Lenny, 41, plans to step back into the public spotlight at a one-off gig with his group Poor White Trash And The Little Big Horns.

The band, featuring Ben Elton's wife Sophie on bass and Spice Girls drummer Andy Gangadenn, will play The Robin R&B Club in Bilston, Wolverhampton, on December 4.

Club boss Keith Evans said: "Lenny will raise the roof. The band has played on TV quite a few times but club gigs are extremely rare.

"The band perform original material and covers, including songs from The Commitments film.

"The gig has not really been publicised but we still expect to sell all 400 tickets."