Dawn French has spoken out about the sudden end of her BBC hit French And Saunders.
The comedian, 65, wrote and starred in the sketch show with best friend Jennifer Saunders for six hugely successful series, but in 2004 the duo called it quits, shocking fans.
Writing in her new book The Twat Files, Dawn recalls that the ‘breaking point’ came during a sketch with pop star Anastasia.
Dawn and Jennifer filmed a scene in the toilets of the BBC building, with Dawn seen describing her fantasy of Anastasia hearing her sing and inviting her to come on Top of the Pops with her.
Anastasia acts in a skit, eavesdropping on the conversation. Cut to Dawn in the signature look of the cowgirl pop star who sings with the TOTP star.
Smash hit: Dawn French has reflected on the sudden end of her hit BBC show French And Saunders (pictured with comedy partner Jennifer Saunders on the show)
End of an era: The comedian wrote and starred in the sketch show with best friend Jennifer Saunders for six hugely successful series, but in 2004 the duo called it quits
Dawn writes in her new book The Twat Files that seeing herself in the costume was the moment she decided to leave the show. “Honestly, I’ve never felt so ugly.” I have often willingly, happily been ‘ugly’ for hundreds of sketches.
“I never minded how something looked, as long as it served the joke well.” The mirror told me clearly why this is so painfully disgusting.’
‘Because the joke was on me.’
After she finished filming for the day, Dawn says she “burst into hot, angry tears. I duly sobbed the entire 28 miles home before calling Jennifer and telling her she wanted to end their show.
Speaking with TimesDawn insisted her best friend didn’t try to dissuade her, explaining: ‘Jennifer would never fight me in something that big.
‘She’s now saying, ‘What the hell were you thinking? We could have easily fixed that.’ But that wasn’t a problem.’
As for herself, she has never regretted her decision and added: ‘I think it’s time to move on to another chapter, and you need to know when that’s going to happen.’
French and Saunders began working together when they met in their early twenties in 1978, and their self-titled sketch show first aired on BBC Two in 1987.
Unlucky: Writing in her new book The Twat Files, Dawn recalls her ‘breaking point’ came during a sketch with pop star Anastasia
Fan favourite: French and Saunders, 63, started working together when they met in their early 20s in 1978 and their eponymous sketch show first aired on BBC Two in 1987.
In total it ran for six full series, in addition to numerous Christmas specials and compilation episodes, the most recent of which was 300 Years of French and Saunders – which aired on Christmas Day 2017.
Speaking on The Graham Norton Show last year, Dawn said she and Jennifer have no plans to get back together.
“I think the time for the sketch show is over, but Jen and I are like kids when we get together and have fun thinking about it – the likes of Line of Duty, Killing Eve and The Crown are just begging for it!” ‘ she admitted.
Instead, the comedy icon is concentrating on the one-woman show Dawn French is a Huge Tvat and the imminent release of her latest book, The Tvat Files.