They were the much-loved stars of one of the most popular TV shows of the eighties, French and Saunders.

But Dawn French has admitted she was left feeling a “huge amount of envy” when her co-star Jennifer Saunders went on to write and star in Absolutely Fabulous, winning a BAFTA, an Emmy award and international acclaim.

“Ab Fab becomes huge, and so I sit and watch Jennifer just collecting many awards and bouquets,” French said in a Glamour podcast.

"When I saw that happening it was a huge amount of envy. Right in your belly in a place you don’t want it, and its bile-y and it tastes bad and it’s all consuming.”

“You're allowed to own up to it”: Dawn French opens up about her jealousy of Jennifer Saunders