The 50-year-old is preparing for a Press briefing tomorrow when he will outline plans to portray the tragic Shakespearian figure.

The production is understood to be opening next spring at West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, and ending at the home of Northern Broadsides in the Viaduct Theatre, Dean Clough, Halifax.

Lenny let the cat out of the bag by disclosing his forthcoming role to a New Zealand newspaper.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Playhouse – where the comic will officially unveil his plans tomorrow – would not confirm details but said Lenny was very excited.

For the West Midlands-born comedian, who brought his stand-up show to the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, last year, it appears to be a case of life imitating art.

In 1991 he starred in the Disney film True Identity, in which he played an actor who has to adopt a variety of disguises to avoid being shot. One of his disguises was as Othello.

Northern Broadsides director Barrie Rutter has made no secret of the fact he would like to work with Lenny.

The pair met more than a year ago on a BBC programme in which the comedian rediscovered the works of Shakespeare after failing to be inspired by his teachers.
Others who have played the Moor of Venice include Paul Robeson, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Gambon, Richard Burton and Willard White.