Beyond the Sketch: Dawn French Reflects on Grief and Friendship
For decades, the comedic partnership between Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders has defined a generation of British television. From their eponymous BBC sketch show to cult-favorite sitcoms, the duo has remained a cornerstone of pop culture. However, a recent appearance by French at the Hay Festival offered a poignant look at the personal foundation of their enduring friendship, rooted in a shared history that began long before their meteoric rise to fame.
A Bond Forged at Drama School
Speaking at the Hay Festival on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Dawn French opened up about the profound impact of her friendship with Jennifer Saunders. The two first crossed paths at drama school in the late 1970s, a meeting that would eventually lead to their iconic collaboration on projects such as Girls on Top, their Still Alive comedy tour and their 2020 podcast, French and Saunders: Titting About.
French shared that her arrival at college occurred shortly after the death of her father by suicide—a loss she was navigating while struggling to maintain a facade of normalcy. Reflecting on that period, French noted that her mother had insisted she continue her education, wanting her to “carry on as normal and do the best we could.”
Seeing Through the Facade
Despite her efforts to project cheerfulness, French revealed that Saunders was instrumental in supporting her through that challenging time. “I went to college, sort of dripping with grief and pretending to be cheerful, and meeting (Jennifer) Saunders there, you know, who very much, very quickly saw through all this,” French said.
The support extended beyond just the two students. French recalled that Saunders’ father also played a pivotal role in her life, acting as a surrogate father figure. “The minute he met me and knew my story, he sort of stepped up as a bit of a surrogate dad to me, and so that’s a brilliant thing that happened there,” she explained.
New Artistic Horizons
Beyond her reflections on the past, French used the Hay Festival platform to discuss her latest creative endeavor, a fiction novel titled Enough. The book explores the complex topic of control over end-of-life decisions. French described the work as a “life-affirming book” that approaches the difficult subject of the end of life with intention and grace.
Key Takeaways
- Enduring Partnership: Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders have maintained a professional and personal connection since meeting at drama school in the late 1970s.
- Support Through Loss: French credited Saunders with recognizing her grief following her father’s death during their college years, providing essential emotional support.
- Literary Focus: French’s new novel, Enough, centers on themes of agency and end-of-life planning.
As French continues to evolve both as a performer and an author, her willingness to share the personal history behind her public persona offers fans a deeper appreciation for the woman behind the comedy. Her story serves as a reminder that even the most celebrated public figures are shaped by the quiet, formative moments of empathy and friendship that occur behind the scenes.