Dawn French, the beloved star of The Vicar of Dibley, has opened up about a recent family moment involving her granddaughter that left her briefly lost for words. The 68-year-old comedian and actress revealed the hilarious exchange during an interview with The Times, discussing family life and becoming a grandmother.
Granddaughter's Innocent Question
French recalled the moment her four-year-old granddaughter, the daughter of Billie — whom French and her ex-husband Lenny Henry adopted — asked her directly: "Are you Dawn French?" The actress admitted she was tempted to deny her identity altogether. "I nearly denied myself. I was so close to saying, 'No, never heard of her. What do you mean?'" French shared.
She added that her granddaughter is already beginning to understand her grandmother's public profile. "She's not stupid, she picks up on things, but I'm going to have to curate this carefully. Or make her sit down and watch it all," French said with a laugh.
Family Life with Lenny Henry and Beyond
French and Henry were once regarded as one of British comedy's best-loved couples after tying the knot in 1984. During their marriage, both became major television stars, with Henry forging a successful stand-up and acting career while French dominated screens alongside comedy partner Jennifer Saunders. French and Saunders first met while studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama, bonding over shared experiences growing up in RAF families before unexpectedly finding fame in their mid-20s after joining the Comic Strip comedy troupe.
Their careers quickly took off. In 1985, they starred alongside Ruby Wax and Tracey Ullman in ITV comedy Girls on Top, before launching the hugely successful BBC sketch series French and Saunders two years later. Despite their long marriage, French and Henry announced their separation in 2010, insisting the split was amicable. Their divorce was finalised shortly afterwards.
French later found love again with charity executive Mark Bignell, whom she married in 2013. The pair met after Bignell helped her research her second novel, with the friendship eventually becoming romantic. French has previously credited her late mother Roma with introducing the couple, saying: "I think of him as her present to me." The Vicar of Dibley star is now part of a larger blended family, alongside daughter Billie and stepchildren Olly and Lily.
Attitude Towards Ageing
French has also spoken about her attitude towards ageing and appearance, saying she has already made clear decisions about how she wants to look as she gets older and how she responds to criticism. She said she has no intention of turning to cosmetic surgery as she approaches her 70s and is comfortable with the changes that come with age. Reflecting on both past and future scrutiny of her appearance, she said she has learned to be unfazed by negative comments.
Addressing her outlook on ageing and personal choice, she said: "Let them see it. I'm f***ing grateful to be this age. I've made decisions about whether or not I'm going to take a machete to my face, and fine for anybody who wants to, but these are my decisions. People troll you and whatever, as if I would really care. Nothing will hurt me by criticising my age."
