‘Ab Fab’s Eddie was based on my showbiz life’

Lynne Franks ran a successful PR agency for more than 20 years – until her glitzy lifestyle caught up with her

- ALEX LLOYD

Watching Eddie and Patsy dash around London in their towering heels, clutching bottles of Bolly, I can’t help but smile. The old episodes of comedy classic Absolutely Fabulous are hilarious and outrageous. My former client Jennifer Saunders is said to have partly based her outlandish PR Edina Monsoon on me. But while I definitely recognise the champagne, celebrities and chaos, it’s a world away from my life today, running a healing centre in Wincanton, Somerset, sipping green juices and promoting sustainable lifestyles.

There’s no way I’d have succeeded if the hedonism of life back then wasn’t matched with hard work, but little did I know that my dedication to my career would lead to a life-changing burnout.

I was only 21 when I set up my agency, Lynne Franks PR, after working as a fashion journalist alongside Janet Street-Porter. It was the 1970s and an exciting time for fashion and youth culture.

I married fashion designer Paul Howie and had two children, Jessica and Joshua, in my late twenties, working round the clock to promote fashion brands or launch campaigns to make cycling cool for women.

Maternity leave didn’t exist – or working from home. I’d bounce the kids on my knee while I made calls to clients and take them to photoshoots and fashion shows – some of which they ended up in.

I worked with Mary Portas to turn Harvey Nicks from sloaney to cool, which was Eddie’s favourite store in Ab Fab, naturally.

I loved my job and socialising was a big part of it. Our parties became legendary, while everyone wanted a front-row seat at our shows.