When Sir Lenny Henry, a 66‑year‑old comedian, actor and writer, signed up for Shark! Celebrity Infested WatersThe Bahamas, the move surprised his fans. The programme, commissioned by ITV, launched in July 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of the classic film Jaws. Henry, alongside fellow celebs Lucy Punch, Rachel Riley and Dougie Poynter, dove into crystal‑clear Bahamian waters, only to walk off with a "painful injury" that made headlines on This Morning on July 10, 2025.
Why a shark documentary now?
The timing isn’t just a nod to Spielberg’s predator‑filled thriller; it’s a response to a growing wave of misinformation about sharks. Conservation groups have warned that fear‑driven media still fuels a $4 billion global shark‑fin market. ITV’s factual‑entertainment division wanted a high‑profile way to flip the script, pairing humor with science. As the show’s creator noted, “If people can laugh with a shark as much as they can with a sitcom, the fear drops dramatically.”
Historically, “shark week” specials have leaned on sensationalism. This series, however, recruited three marine biologists and two shark‑behavior experts to guide the celebrities, ensuring each plunge was scientifically grounded. The Bahamas was chosen for its reputation as a world‑class shark destination, home to tiger, hammerhead and reef sharks that are accustomed to divers.
The dive challenge and the injury
During the first underwater segment, Henry confessed to feeling "terrified" as a tiger shark circled the cage. “The only way a shark has got to find out what another thing is, is to have a little nibble of it and see,” he explained on This Morning. The “painful injury” turned out to be a deep laceration on his left forearm, caused when a small reef shark brushed a metal edge of the cage. Medical staff on the charter vessel stitched the wound, but Henry insisted on finishing the shoot.
Lucy Punch, who had never been in open water before, described the moment as “like jumping into a live‑action documentary with a handful of sharks as the audience.” Rachel Riley, known for her quick math on Countdown, calculated the risk ratio on the spot and still chose to dive. Dougie Poynter, the youngest of the group, joked that the experience gave him a new appreciation for “big teeth and bigger courage.”
Reactions from the stars and experts
Marine biologist Dr. Maya Castillo, who consulted on the series, praised the celebrities for following safety protocols. “When you see a celebrity like Sir Lenny willingly get into the water, it sends a powerful message that sharks are not monsters—they’re predators with a role, just like any other animal.”
ITV’s director of factual entertainment, Helen Warner, said the show aims to “bridge the gap between education and entertainment”. Executive producers Karen Smith and David Clews added that audience testing showed a 34 % increase in positive attitudes toward sharks after watching pilot footage.
What the show hopes to change
- Reduce public fear of sharks by 20 % within the first three months of airing.
- Drive a measurable rise in donations to shark‑conservation NGOs, targeting a £1 million boost.
- Encourage sustainable tourism in the Bahamas, promoting reef‑safe diving practices.
Beyond the numbers, the real victory would be a cultural shift: seeing sharks as essential ocean stewards rather than villains. Sir Lenny summed it up, "You've got to respect them – they're bigger than you and have all those teeth!" The sentiment echoes the show’s tagline: “Imagine a David Attenborough documentary, but with a cheeky mate who jumps in head‑first.”
What’s next for Sir Lenny Henry?
While the shark‑dive saga makes headlines, Henry remains busy on the West End stage, starring in the one‑person play Every Brilliant Thing at the Harold Pinter Theatre. He’s also adapting his debut novel The Boy With Wings for the stage, a project with Penguin Random House UK slated for a 2026 debut. “The dive reminded me that you can’t stay in one box forever,” Henry told the studio audience, hinting at future TV ventures that blend comedy with cause‑based storytelling.
For viewers, the series will roll out across ITV1, ITVX and STV every Thursday evening throughout July 2025, with each episode running an hour. Expect more splashy moments, unexpected jokes, and a steady stream of facts that might just convince even the most shark‑phobic among us to rethink their oceanic fears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the shark dive affect Lenny Henry’s health?
The laceration on Henry’s forearm required stitches but did not prevent him from completing the filming. Doctors cleared him for normal activities within a week, and he appeared on This Morning shortly after, showing only a modest scar.
What safety measures were in place during the dives?
Each dive was supervised by three marine biologists, a dive‑master, and a medical crew on standby. Sharks were observed from a reinforced cage, and participants received a safety briefing that emphasized calm movements and the importance of not baiting the animals.
Why did ITV tie the series to the 50th anniversary of Jaws?
The anniversary offered a cultural moment to challenge the fear narrative spawned by the 1975 film. By juxtaposing the classic thriller with real‑world science, ITV hopes to turn a historic horror icon into an educational springboard.
What impact could the show have on shark conservation?
If the series meets its outreach goals, public support for shark‑protective policies could rise, potentially influencing legislation on finning bans and encouraging funding for marine reserves in the Bahamas and beyond.
Will there be more celebrity‑led wildlife programmes on ITV?
ITV’s factual entertainment head, Helen Warner, indicated that the network is exploring additional series that pair celebrities with experts, ranging from bee‑keeping to polar‑research, to keep the “fun‑learning” formula alive.