Yahoo News Dawn French says racists tried to burn her house down
Dawn French has revealed that she and Lenny Henry had to employ security after racists tried to burn down their house when they were living together with their mixed-race daughter Billie.
The much-loved British comedians were married for 25 years and adopted Billie in 1991, before separating in 2010.
During this time, the Vicar of Dibley star says the family were subjected to "hatred", an arson attack, and once found "s**t" left on their front door by strangers.
"'I never thought, 'Oh, look at me in a mixed-race relationship!'" French told The Sunday Times.
"I fell in love with a man and he happened to be black, and we adopted a mixed-race daughter. I only realised it was an issue when there was hatred from utter t***s.
"I had to attend to it when people tried to burn our house down and left s**t on the door. But although that was hugely disappointing and shocking, you have to get past it."
The actress said the former couple's experiences of racial hatred "make you steel up a bit and think, 'Bring it on', adding: "It was just us living in our time and doing our jobs and being the people we were. It wasn't brave, it was just doing the right thing.
"And we were lucky we had a big house and a gate and could employ people to protect us when we needed it. Lots of mixed-race couples weren't so lucky."
Back in 2014, French spoke about how "someone put an oily rag through our front door and tried to burn us down".
"Luckily I woke up and smelt it, otherwise I'm not sure we would be here," she told BBC Radio Four's Front Row.
She added that she and Henry were also targeted by members of the Klu Klux Klan who smeared faeces on their front door and sprayed graffiti on their walls.
Anyone who has witnessed or experienced a hate crime is urged to call the police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the True Vision website. In an emergency, always dial 999.
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