To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Am I Being Unreasonable? is returning tomorrow which means Lenny Rush is back on our TV screens. The actor has repeatedly proved himself to be someone who can keep up with any adult on set, whether it’s presenting Children in Need, acting on Doctor Who, or in his standout role on the aforementioned BBC sitcom.

As Ollie – the son of Daisy May Cooper’s character Nic – he’s demonstrated his range switching between comic relief to genuinely emotional moments with ease. Let’s find out more about Lenny, take a look back at his rise and what the future holds for the Bafta-winning star…. Lenny was born on March 18, 2009 making him 15 years old. He may still be a teenager but the Essex-born lad has already been working for eight years. Children’s TV channel CBeebies gave Lenny his start, with the youngster first appearing in documentary series Our Family. He then began acting with roles in The Dumping Ground, and Apple Tree House.

In 2019, he played Tim Cratchit in the BBC’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol (he’d previously played Tiny Tim on stage at London’s Old Vic in 2017 and 2018). His performance was praised by viewers for its bold approach. His run of great roles continued with Lenny appearing as The Sweeper in Bafta-winning show Dodger. His role was expanded to create a fuller character with a name – Morgan – after his scenes impressed.

Lenny has a rare type of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SED), that results in short stature and skeletal anomalies. It meant that he needed to spend the first four months of his life in hospital. Lenny previously revealed how proud he is to be representing the disabled community on screen, something which he says is quite ‘rare’ to see. He told Metro: ‘I’m proud because you don’t, it’s a shame, but you don’t see many. It is getting better, it’s getting better and better.

‘But yeah I mean it’s sort of it’s still quite rare to see in my opinion, so I’m proud to be representing them and hopefully it brings more people in. ‘I think it’s good for mums as well, if they’ve got any kids with a disability, and it seems like the worst, you know they’ll be able to see people like me and feel they will get out of it and it will be good.’. The child star really hit the mainstream when the comedy drama series Am I Being Unreasonable? hit the small screen in 2022. The episodes revolve around Nic, a Cotswolds mum stuck in a depressing marriage and her unique dynamic with son Ollie. A person she often turns to for support and assurance.

Lenny and Daisy have been able to create a special chemistry on-screen and that’s reflected in the real world too. Daisy recently described Lenny as being her ‘rock’ while promoting the show. Speaking exclusively to Metro, Lenny shared that a lot of his work on the show is improvised: ‘All the scenes I’m in, I don’t think there’s one scene where I don’t go off a little bit, there’s always a little change, even if it’s slight.’.

In the series, his character’s disability isn’t a ‘massive plot’. ‘I’ve got my segway and it has a disability badge on the front, but nothing’s ever said about it. And I like that because it’s not needed to be said,’ he explained. ‘Obviously some shows might revolve around a kid with a disability and that makes sense if it’s about the disability. But I like [that the team of Am I Being Unreasonable?] didn’t make it into a massive plot. I liked that.’.

Lenny went on to explain that the casting directors for the six-parter were open-minded with their search and were not specifically looking for a child actor with a disability. He added: ‘My agent asked, “Is there any reason Lenny Rush couldn’t go up for this role?’ And they said, “No there isn’t.”‘. His work on the show was recognised by the industry, and he racked up multiple gongs at the National Comedy Awards, Royal Television Society Programme Awards, and the Baftas.

Since becoming well known, TV bosses have been grappling to get him on their shows. He became the youngest ever presenter for Children In Need in 2023, and he grabbed just as many laughs as the older comedians on Would I Lie to You? and Taskmaster. Lenny also found himself in the 14th series of one of the world’s biggest shows – the iconic Doctor Who as Morris, a child genius and scientific advisor to UNIT.

When Lenny won his Bafta award he thanked his parents for helping him to reach this huge moment. Rather than being from the industry themselves, the couple have more ‘normal’ jobs. His dad Steve has a kitchen design business in Basildon and his mum Lisa was a dental nurse. She gave up her job when Lenny was born. Lenny also has a younger brother called Bobby, who also got a special mention. However, after saying his name Lenny added: ‘Why not?’ making the audience erupt with laughter.