Lenny Rush has become one of the most recognisable young faces on British television. At just 17 years old, he has already won a BAFTA, presented Children in Need, starred in Doctor Who, and appeared alongside some of the biggest names in acting. His journey from a CBeebies documentary to prime-time BBC drama is remarkable. Here is everything you need to know about Lenny Rush, including his age, career highlights, health condition, and upcoming projects. Just as Matt Beard’s legacy continues to impact the football world, Lenny Rush’s legacy in television is only just beginning.
Who is Lenny Rush?
Lenny Rush is a British actor and television presenter. He was born on 18 March 2009 in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex[citation:1][citation:2]. He is best known for his role as Ollie in Daisy May Cooper’s BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable?[citation:1]. also made history as the first-ever child presenter of the BBC’s Children in Need appeal[citation:1].
In 2023, Rush won a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance for his work on Am I Being Unreasonable?[citation:1][citation:4]. He was only 14 years old at the time. This victory cemented his status as one of the UK’s most exciting young talents.
Rush has a rare form of dwarfism called Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (SEDc)[citation:1][citation:3]. This condition affects his bone growth. He stands approximately 3 feet 3 inches tall. However, he has never let his disability define him or limit his ambitions.
Just as the Nothing Phone 2 brought fresh design to smartphones, Lenny Rush has brought fresh energy and representation to British television.
How Old is Lenny Rush?
Lenny Rush was born on 18 March 2009[citation:1][citation:2]. As of May 2026, he is 17 years old. Despite his youth, he has already been acting for nearly a decade.
His birthday falls just days before the start of spring. Fans on social media often send him birthday messages each March. He typically celebrates with family at home in Essex.
Lenny Rush’s Health Condition: Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita
Lenny Rush was born with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc)[citation:1][citation:3]. This is a rare inherited bone growth disorder. It results in short stature (dwarfism) and skeletal abnormalities[citation:1]. The condition can also affect vision, mobility, coordination, and hearing[citation:3].
Rush spent the first four months of his life in hospital following his birth[citation:3]. He has undergone multiple surgeries over the years. These include leg operations, a procedure to repair a cleft palate, and most recently, spinal surgery[citation:3][citation:5].
Despite these challenges, Rush remains positive. He credits a doctor at Great Ormond Street Hospital with changing his life through expert care[citation:3]. He has also spoken warmly about Warwick Davis, who has the same condition. “Warwick’s lovely,” Rush said. “He does a convention for people with dwarfism called Little People UK. We all go there and we have a disco in the night, it’s great”[citation:3].
Rush is proud to represent the disabled community on screen. “It’s an honour,” he told the BBC. “For someone to see another person with the same thing as them on the telly – I think it gives them hope that it will be all right, you know”[citation:5].
Just as the digital ID petition sparked public debate about identity, Lenny Rush has sparked important conversations about disability representation in media.
How Did Lenny Rush Get His Start?
Rush’s journey into acting began almost by accident. When he was seven years old, his mother Lisa signed the family up for the CBeebies documentary series “Our Family”[citation:3][citation:4]. The show followed different types of families. Lenny loved being in front of the camera.
“I just really enjoyed being in front of the camera and then I went to acting classes on a Saturday and it just went from there,” Rush recalled[citation:3].
He began acting at the Pauline Quirke Academy in Essex[citation:1][citation:2]. His first acting role was playing a school boy in the film Old Boys[citation:1]. That same year, he appeared as Eli in the kids’ TV series Apple Tree House[citation:2].
Am I Being Unreasonable? The Role That Changed Everything
Rush’s big breakthrough came in 2022. He was cast as Ollie in Daisy May Cooper’s BBC comedy-drama Am I Being Unreasonable?[citation:1]. The show follows Nic (Daisy May Cooper), a woman grieving a loss she cannot share. Her son Ollie, played by Rush, is her closest confidant and support system.
The role allowed Rush to showcase his range. He delivered both comic relief and genuinely emotional moments with ease[citation:4]. The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan praised his “comic chops and emotional range of an actor twice his age”[citation:2].
Notably, the show does not make Ollie’s disability a central plot point. “I’ve got my segway and it has a disability badge on the front, but nothing’s ever said about it,” Rush explained. “I like that because it’s not needed to be said”[citation:4].
Rush won a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance for this role in May 2023[citation:1]. He also won the Breakthrough Award and Best Comedy Performance (Male) at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards[citation:2].
Unlike the courtroom drama of Nicholas Rossi, Rush’s rise has been a heartwarming story of talent, determination, and family support.
Lenny Rush in Doctor Who: Who Does He Play?
In June 2023, Rush joined one of the biggest shows on television. He was cast as Morris Gibbons in the fourteenth series of Doctor Who[citation:1][citation:2]. He appeared alongside Ncuti Gatwa as the new Time Lord and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday.
His character Morris is a scientific advisor for UNIT, the organisation that defends Earth from alien threats. Rush described the role as “an absolute honour” and “a dream come true”[citation:1].
Children in Need: Making History as the First Child Presenter
Lenny Rush made television history in 2023. He became the first-ever child presenter of the BBC’s Children in Need appeal[citation:1]. The charity telethon has been on air since 1980 and was first hosted by the legendary Terry Wogan.
Rush was nervous about presenting the live show. But he told The Guardian: “The excitement outweighs the nervousness. If I’d said no, and then I watched it that night, I would be gutted I wasn’t there”[citation:1].
He returned to host again in 2024 and again in 2025[citation:1][citation:5]. He joined regular hosts including Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey, Alex Scott, and Jason Manford. At 16 years old in 2025, he remained the youngest presenter ever on the show[citation:5].
Taskmaster New Year’s Treat and Other TV Appearances
In November 2023, Rush was announced as a contestant on Taskmaster New Year’s Treat 2024[citation:1][citation:2]. The special edition of the hit comedy show brings together celebrities for one-off tasks. Rush held his own against adult comedians and won the episode.
He has also appeared on Would I Lie to You? and other panel shows. His quick wit and confidence have made him a favourite among comedy fans[citation:4].
Other notable roles include[citation:1][citation:2]:
- Tiny Tim in the BBC’s 2019 adaptation of A Christmas Carol
- Morgan (The Sweeper) in the BBC series Dodger alongside Christopher Eccleston
- Murphy in the CBBC drama The Dumping Ground
- George in the Sharon Horgan drama Best Interests
- Lukas Calder in the horror film The Queen Mary
- Chris in the TV movie Finding Father Christmas
What is Lenny Rush Doing Next? A Woman of Substance, Slow Horses, and The Reluctant Vampire
Rush’s career shows no signs of slowing down. He has several exciting projects in the pipeline.
A Woman of Substance (Channel 4)
In April 2025, Rush joined the cast of A Woman of Substance on Channel 4[citation:1]. This reboot of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s bestselling novel stars Brenda Blethyn and Emmett J. Scanlan. Rush plays Frank Harte, the brother of the main character Emma. The series aired in March 2026[citation:1].
Slow Horses Season 6 (Apple TV+)
In a major coup, Rush will join the cast of Slow Horses for its sixth season[citation:1]. The Apple TV+ spy drama starring Gary Oldman is one of the most critically acclaimed shows on television. Details of Rush’s role remain under wraps.
The Reluctant Vampire
Rush will also appear in The Reluctant Vampire, based on the novel by comedian Eric Morecambe[citation:1]. The story follows a reluctant vampire prince living in a quaint English village.
Future Ambitions: Playing a Crime Boss
Rush has hinted at what he might like to do next. “I really like the character the Joker,” he told Metro. “I’ve always wanted to play some kind of Dr Evil-type crime boss too. A gritty baddie”[citation:4].
Just as Omaze UK winners receive life-changing opportunities, Lenny Rush has received life-changing roles that continue to expand his range as an actor.
Lenny Rush’s Family: Parents and Brother
Lenny Rush comes from a close-knit family. His father Steve Rush runs a kitchen design business in Basildon[citation:3][citation:4]. His mother Lisa Rush was a dental nurse. She gave up her job when Lenny was born to care for him full-time[citation:3]. Lenny also has a younger brother named Bobby[citation:3].
When Lenny won his BAFTA, he thanked his parents on stage. He also gave a special mention to Bobby. After saying his brother’s name, Lenny added “Why not?” making the audience erupt with laughter[citation:4].
His mother Lisa manages his Instagram account. The account features photos of Lenny enjoying time with his dad and brother away from the cameras[citation:5].
How Lenny Rush Balances School and Acting
Despite his busy acting career, Lenny Rush still attends school. He has described the balancing act as “tricky” at times[citation:3].
“It’s a weird one because one week I’m on set filming and having to do school work on top and then the next I’m back in school with 30 other kids,” he explained[citation:3].
When filming, he receives a set number of hours of tutoring each day. He must be prepared with all his schoolwork. When he returns to school, teachers keep him up to date with what he missed[citation:3].
His mother Lisa emphasises the importance of keeping his feet on the ground. “It’s a fine balance,” she told The Guardian. “Lenny would do this full-time if he could… but he is young, and he needs to have that time where he keeps his feet on the ground”[citation:3].
Lenny Rush on Representing Disability on Screen
Rush is passionate about increasing disability representation in the entertainment industry. He told Metro that disabled actors are still “quite rare” on screen, though the situation is improving[citation:4].
“I’m proud because you don’t, it’s a shame, but you don’t see many,” he said. “It is getting better, it’s getting better and better. But 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”[citation:4].
He also sees himself as an inspiration for parents of children with disabilities. “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”[citation:4].
Rush insisted that “anybody can play a role” regardless of whether they have a disability or not. He explained that all actors should have “the same opportunities”[citation:1].
Unlike the scripted joy of the Eurovision film sequel, Lenny Rush’s success is real and earned – a testament to his talent and determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lenny Rush? Lenny Rush was born on 18 March 2009. He is 17 years old as of May 2026.
What condition does Lenny Rush have? Lenny Rush has spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDc), a rare form of dwarfism that affects bone growth. He spent the first four months of his life in hospital and has undergone multiple surgeries.
What is Lenny Rush best known for? He is best known for playing Ollie in Daisy May Cooper’s BBC comedy Am I Being Unreasonable? He won a BAFTA for this role in 2023.
Was Lenny Rush in Doctor Who? Yes. He played Morris Gibbons, a scientific advisor for UNIT, in the fourteenth series of Doctor Who alongside Ncuti Gatwa.
Did Lenny Rush present Children in Need? Yes. He made history in 2023 as the first-ever child presenter of Children in Need. He returned to host again in 2024 and 2025.
Where is Lenny Rush from? Lenny Rush is from Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, England.
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