Joanna Lumley nearly quit her iconic role in Absolutely Fabulous after a disastrous first meeting with co-star and show creator Jennifer Saunders

Joanna Lumley has revealed she almost quit her now iconic role of Patsy Stone in BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous after a disastrous first meeting with Jennifer Saunders.

The actress, 77, who played the boozy fashion guru between 1992 and 2016, said she tried to jump ship after convincing her co-star and show creator Jennifer, 65, that she wasn't right for the role after their first performance. read through.

Narrate The sun: 'Either I did so poorly, or (Jennifer) was so uncommunicative that I was sure she didn't like me.'

'I went home and said to my agent, 'I love the script, but you have to get me out of this because she's too police-like to say she doesn't like me.'

She continued: 'My agent said, 'Just do it, it's a pilot, who knows, it might not work.'

The actress, who played the drunken fashion guru between 1992 and 2016, said she tried to jump ship after convincing her co-star and show creator Jennifer, 65, that she wasn't right for the role after their first reading. (pictured together in the series)

The series became an instant hit, winning numerous BAFTA and British Comedy Awards before hitting the big screen with its own film in 2016.

In a recent Channel 5 documentary celebrating Joanna's long career, she admitted that filming Ab Fab was 'hysterical' and that one scene almost sent the pair over the edge.

About an older Patsy losing her pants while accidentally sniffing a bee, Joanna said:

“When I die, I just want that to be played at my funeral.”

It comes after Michelle Keegan admitted she was a 'huge fan' of Joanna as she opened up about starring alongside her in Harlan Coben's new Netflix thriller, Fool Me Once.

The actress, 36, who plays distressed widow Maya Stern, said the comedy legend's star made her feel “very comfortable” on set.

She revealed that Joanna, who plays the mother of Maya's murdered husband Judith Burkett, pushed her to be “spicier” in scenes.

Despite this, Michelle said she still couldn't bring herself to 'swear in Joanna's face' during rehearsals.

Joanna said, “Either I read it so poorly, or (Jennifer) was so uncommunicative that I was sure she didn't like me.”

The series became an instant hit, winning numerous BAFTA and British Comedy Awards before hitting the big screen with its own film in 2016 (pictured together in 2016).

She said: 'They were so much fun. I mean, it's not every day that you tell Joanna Lumley to F-off! That was quite nerve-wracking.

'She made me feel very comfortable from the start. She's such a legend. My cousin and I grew up watching Ab Fab, so I was such a big fan.

'Our scenes pit our characters against each other. She's so good at playing that feisty role and it made me a little feistier. I had to match that energy.

'But I wouldn't swear during rehearsals. I'd just say, “The F-word.” I would curse at a recording, but I wouldn't curse in her face during rehearsals. I couldn't do that.'

Earlier this month, the highly anticipated Excited dropped its first teaser clip and fans got a glimpse of Michelle as she transformed into distressed widow Maya.

It comes after Michelle Keegan admitted she was a 'huge fan' of Joanna as she opened up about starring alongside her in Harlan Coben's new Netflix thriller, Fool Me Once

Despite this, Michelle said she still couldn't bring herself to 'swear in Joanna's face' during rehearsals.

In the clip, Maya tries to come to terms with the brutal murder of her husband Joe (Richard Armitage).

The trailer shows a happy beginning for the couple on their wedding day and family life before Maya's world is torn apart.

As the story develops, Maya installs a nanny camera to keep an eye on her young daughter and is shocked to see a man she recognizes in her house, her husband, who she thought was dead.

Detective Sergeant Sami Kierce (Adeel Akhtar) leads the murder investigation into Joe's death, while struggling with his own secrets.

All episodes of Fool Me Once will be available on Netflix from January 1, 2024.