OVER the years Dawn French has become a national treasure thanks to her long career as a comedian and TV star.
The actress shot to fame as one half of French and Saunders but over the years has become best known for her heartwarming show, The Vicar of Dibley.
How old is Dawn French?
Born on October Dawn Roma French was born October 11, 1957 making her 66-years-old (as of March 2024).
The talented star is an actress, comedian and author.
Dawn is best known for writing and starring in the sketch show French and Saunders with comedy partner Jennifer Saunders.
The pair are also well known for their work on Comic Relief, and will be appearing on the annual telethon on March 15, 2024.
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Dawn’s other TV work includes ITV’s The Trouble With Maggie Cole and Sky’s Delicious.
She also teamed up with her good pal Jennifer for BBC One’s Jam and Jerusalem.
When did she first appear in the Vicar of Dibley?
One of Dawn’s best loved characters is Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley.
The actress and comedian was 37 when she first took on the role in 1994.
The show ran for 5 series but has had numerous Christmas specials. Dawn has also reprised the role for Comic Relief.
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What is Dawn French’s net worth?
Thanks to her very long career on TV and as a comic, Dawn has amassed a huge fortune.
As of March 2024, she has reported net worth of around £7M.
This has been made through her TV work, book sales, and also comedy tours.
How many times has Dawn French been married?
Dawn was famously married to fellow comedy star Sir Lenny Henry. Lenny and Dawn adopted a daughter together, Billie. The couple wed in 1984 but divorced in 2010.
In 2017, Dawn opened up about their split and admitted she was “still a bit broken” by the divorce.
Speaking to The Mirror she said: “I have mended myself. I have seen what happens if you stay broken.
“When I was single I found my new self. But I think it is OK to grieve over a relationship.”
Dawn has since remarried, and wed her second husband Mark Bignell in 2013.
When was French and Saunders on TV?
Dawn and her best pal Jennifer Saunders’s comedy sketch show French and Saunders ran on the BBC from 1987 to 2005.
It was made up of funny spoofs of movies or TV shows, along with other hilarious characters.
Since the show ended they have often brought it back for Christmas specials.
I think we’ve had our moment with French and Saunders. . . though Jennifer is trying to persuade me to do some more
Dawn French
In 2017, the comedy duo celebrated 30 years together with a BBC One tribute show called 300 Years of French and Saunders.
The festive special featured the double act’s most popular sketches from the past three decades, plus unseen footage of them in action.
Although the pair still reunite for Christmas specials and Comic Relief sketches,
Dawn previously revealed why she would never do a full sketch show series again.
Speaking in a YouTube interview with Sarah O’Connell, she said: “We both have the same tattoo, which we got on the very last night of doing our double act.
“We were on tour in Auckland in New Zealand, and we knew we wouldn’t be touring our double act again. I mean, you know, here I am saying that and that was lots of years ago.
“I’m done with that. Done with the double act part of it. Not done with her.
“There’s lots of things I’d love to do with her.
“But doing sketches on telly, I think we’ve had our moment with it . . . though she’s trying to persuade me to do some more.”
What books has Dawn French released?
Dawn released a book called Me. You. A Diary, which is an interactive take on a diary.
It allows readers to write about their thoughts and experiences alongside the comedian’s existing words.
The idea is to have a book written by the actress, that has been added to by the participant, to make a more interesting written document of the year.
Dawn has also written autobiography Dear Fatty as well as fiction including Oh Dear Silvia.
Red Nose Day 2024 essential guide
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Comic Relief telethon:
