Henry, who remains one of the nation's favourite comedians, revealed yesterday one of the worst kept secrets in Yorkshire theatre – that he would be treading the boards at West Yorkshire Playhouse early next year in one of Shakespeare's most famous roles.

The comedian will play the lead in Othello, under the direction of Barrie Rutter, artistic director of Northern Broadsides.

The production will premiere on February 14 – Valentine's Day – and run at the Playhouse for a month before going on a nationwide tour.

He said: "My wife, Dawn French off the telly, has been incredibly inspirational. She has always said that I should get on stage and do some Shakespeare, she said it would add to my gravitas.

"When I was in Los Angeles making the movie True Identity I worked with James Earl Jones. The sub-plot involved my character understudying James in the role of Othello.

"He and I discussed the role many times. He told me that when the time was right I should jump in with both feet."

Having spent most of his life thinking Shakespeare "wasn't for people like him", Henry became convinced otherwise when he made a documentary for Radio 4 two years ago called Lenny and Will, in which he explored Shakespeare's plays.

While making the series he came into contact with Rutter, whose Halifax company Northern Broadsides is famous for touring productions of Shakespeare around the country.

Rutter said: "I wouldn't have asked Lenny to do this if I didn't think he was up to it.

"I held a workshop with Lenny and Conrad Nelson (Rutter's associate director), who will play Iago in the production, and there was something magic when the two of them were on stage together."

Henry admitted that his appreciation of the Bard's work only began to develop in later life.

He said: "I grew up with an allergy to Shakespeare.

"To me Shakespeare was a strange country, this weird foreign language. It always seemed to be something for posh people, not people like me."

While recording Lenny and Will, Henry spoke to Rutter and first discussed the idea.

Rutter said: "I was working at the Playhouse when there was a phone call from a BBC producer asking me if Lenny Henry could interview me about Shakespeare.

"We talked, then we had a meeting at the BBC and talked some more and he asked me if I thought he could do it. He's a big, tall fellow and not someone you say no to, so I said yes."

Henry said it was speaking to Hull-born director Rutter that really convinced him to take on one of Shakespeare's great roles.

He said: "I interviewed Barrie and he did Oh For a Muse of Fire (the prologue from Henry V) down the phone and it was one of those moments when the hairs on the back of the neck go up and you get goosebumps."

The part of Othello, the Moor of Venice, is one of Shakespeare's most famous roles. Laurence Olivier wore make-up to play the black hero in a 1965 film.

Although one of the biggest names in British showbusiness, Henry said he is looking forward to being an actor in a company and will tour venues including Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre and the Viaduct, Halifax.

He said: "This isn't a case of a celebrity slumming it; I'm going to be a part of the company, which I am really excited about.

"I can't wait to have that experience of standing in the corridor and trying to learn lines and sharing my woes with a company of actors."

Rutter said Henry will be paid the same wage as any of his actors, although he will receive more than most for accommodation.

As part of a Playhouse scheme to attract diverse and younger audiences advance tickets will be on sale for £10. They go on sale on October 17 on 0113 213 7700.