Comedian Lenny Henry is at the centre of a scandal following allegations that he let a mystery woman into his room at a York hotel.

The Royal York Hotel in Station Road, York

The star, who is married to comedian Dawn French, was spotted by newspaper reporters with the 27-year-old woman at the Royal York Hotel after his appearance at the Barbican Centre.

Lenny, 40, the frontman of Comic Relief, which raises millions of pounds for charity every year, had wowed the audience at his one-man show in the city hours before spending the night with the woman, The Sun newspaper claims.

Part of his show had concentrated on the success of his 15 year marriage to Dawn French, with whom he has a seven-year-old daughter.

Laura Porter, duty manager of the Royal York Hotel, said today: "Obviously we knew Lenny Henry was staying at the hotel and performing at the Barbican Centre, but it was as much a shock for us as anybody else to see him in the paper this morning.

"He was a guest at the hotel and anything he did was private and confidential. What he does in his own bedroom is his own business."

Lenny Henry's Barbican Centre show was part of a 36-date tour.

Officials at Croydon's Fairfield Hall, where he is due to perform tomorrow, had today not heard of any change of plan following the revelations.

The four-star Royal York Hotel has 158 rooms, with a £135 charge for a double.

It recently announced plans for a 350-seat conference centre costing £3m, along with a £1 million leisure and beauty complex which are hoped to be finished by October next year.

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