SIR LENNY Henry has been a comedian since the age of sixteen. He has risen from being a cult star on children’s television to one of Britain’s best-known and most celebrated comedians while Marcus Ryder has over twenty-five years experience working in television and journalism, and is a leader on the issue of diversity in the media.

The two have come together to produce Access All Areas: The Diversity Manifesto for TV and Beyond.

Set for general release this week the book sets out an urgent, actionable manifesto that will dramatically shift the debate around diversity and the media.

If you’ve ever been in a business meeting and thought: ‘These people do not look like me’, or you’ve seen politicians in parliament and wondered why they do not seem to represent the communities you know and you’ve watched TV and wondered why far too often it fails to reflect your reality, Henry goes on a journey to find out why so many of us feel excluded in society and, more important, what we can do about it.

Joining forces with the former Chair of the Royal Television Society’s diversity committee, Ryder, Henry draws on decades of media experience to reveal why current diversity initiatives are failing.

He highlights the structural and financial imbalances working against the cause and provides clear solutions to change society for good.

Tweeting earlier this week, Ryder wrote: “We are all familiar with the story of “the teacher who made all the difference”.

“Most people from underrepresented groups also have a story of the “ally that made all the difference”.

“The truth is we all have privilege in different contexts we should all strive to be that ally!”

He added: “How do you get people from underrepresented groups to speak their truth at work & progress Diversity & Inclusion?

“By creating networks of genuine allies, especially when the allies are at the top of the organisation. Order #AccessAllAreas by @LennyHenry & me.”

Lenny Henry says new BBC chair should understand the importance of diversity and inclusion