‘IT FELT WONDERFUL TO BE HUGGED – I HADN'T TOUCHED ANYONE IN SO LONG!'

ACTING LEGEND DAWN FRENCH ON THE JOYS OF FILMING A CHRISTMAS SPECIAL WITH ROB BRYDON THEIR SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP AND THE PERILS OF WORKING WITH ANIMALS

- JENNY RODGER

Dawn French is a national treasure and one of the funniest British women ever to grace our screens. So what better way to spend Christmas than in the company of such a star? The French & Saunders legend will be appearing in not one, but two festive specials – a Vicar Of Dibley reboot and the new Sky One drama, Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse, a fact-based story of when the six-year-old Roald Dahl met his heroine, Beatrix Potter.

According to the 63-year-old actress, who plays Beatrix, the drama was a delight to shoot. As well as a cast of cuddly animals, which Dawn described as a “joy” to work with, an array of showbiz legends, including Rob Brydon, Strictly sensation Bill Bailey and Alison Steadman, were also involved.

The end result – a heartwarming, magical tale about two authors following their dreams – is sure to be one of the top TV treats of 2020 when it airs on Christmas Eve.

Here, Dawn tells OK! all about the new show, the problems of working with pigs, and the rather unexpected perks of filming during a pandemic…

Dawn, the show sounds delightful. What can you tell us about it?