Emma Bunton

Less hysterical than the first in this revival series (I can live without Patsy's mirthless workmates and an egregiously OTT Bubble), this second serving dishes up some camp froth.

"Sort of singer" Emma Bunton and Lulu guest-star, while staggering on set with a massive wig and smoky French accent is Lindsay Duncan as film star Jeanne Durand. The effect is stunning: think Faye Dunaway essaying Marlene Dietrich. Jeanne wants to sing, Eddy has booked the Albert Hall, but nothing comes out of the blessed chanteuse's mouth. What to do?

Patrick Mulkern, Radio Times, 1st January 2012

Ab Fab was back with another so-so offering from Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, who never look tired in their respective parts, even if their scripts are occasionally lacklustre.

You can tell Saunders is missing her skits with Dawn French, because there were flashes of some very F&S-like sketches here, including an apparently pointless trip to the beauty salon, where a not-very-funny therapist took shot at Eddie's pampered life.

For a series that so often mocks the nepotism of the middle classes, there followed a lot of bit part-appearances by members of Saunders' daughter Beattie Edmonson's comedy troupe Lady Garden, but we'll skim over that.

After Eddie's hilarious attempts at speaking Danish in the Christmas episode, there were some slightly less amusing attempts to speak French and after the winning cameo from Sofie Grabol, there were slightly less endearing cameos from Emma Bunton, Lulu and La Roux.

Still, as the cast touched on everything from iPads to interns, there were enough funny moments to whet viewers' appetite for the Olympics special that will air later in the year.

Rachel Tarley, Metro, 1st January 2012

Stella McCartney to star in Absolutely Fabulous

Fashion designer Stella McCartney is just one of the names to star in the revived TV comedy, along with Kelly Holmes and Emma Bunton.

Olivia Bergin, The Telegraph, 30th November 2011