Joanna Lumley

Previewers have been asked not to reveal which of the characters has been away "doing bird" (in Patsy's words), which makes writing about the first new Ab Fab episode in six years a little bit on the tangential side. Not to worry, it's a gem, embracing such intervening technological advances as iPads (Bubble tries to draw on hers) and Twitter. Eddie (Jennifer Saunders) is ballooning ("not even the credit crunch can tighten your belt"), Patsy (Joanna Lumley) decides to claim her pension - if only she can find evidence that she exists - while applauding the summer riots ("I love a bit of extreme shopping"), and Bubble (Jane Horrocks) gives a bravura one-woman summary of the royal wedding. All that and a short but sweet cameo from Sofie Grabol, Sarah Lund in The Killing - this is the first and best of the three, new, 20th anniversary episodes.

Joanna Lumley interview: Ab Fab will steal Christmas

Joanna Lumley talks about the boozy return of Patsy and Edina in Absolutely Fabulous this Christmas.

Audio: Absolutely Fabulous characters 'more desperate'

Absolutely Fabulous is to return to BBC One later this year with three specials to celebrate the show's 20th anniversary.

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will return as Edina and Patsy along with other original cast members.

Saunders told Mark Lawson on Radio 4's Front Row that Edina and Patsy are "more desperate" as they age.

Joanna Lumley interview

Bond girl, fashion icon, renowned stage actor, Gurkha champion: Joanna Lumley has had a wonderful career. But it is her portrayal of Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous that is stamped on the nation's consciousness. She talks about the new episodes of the show.

Absolutely Fabulous - first look at the cast for Xmas

Here's a sneak peek, sweeties, at Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and co ahead of the seasonal specials.

Graham Norton may be heaving a sigh of relief that Jonathan Ross's ITV chat show finished on Saturday, alleviating competition for guests. Tonight the Telegraph agony uncle's line-up features a strong British contingent: actress Joanna Lumley, whose Greek Odyssey is currently on ITV1, Scottish actor James McAvoy (Atonement), who voices the forthcoming animated movie Arthur Christmas; professional Scouser John Bishop, who brings the jokes; and music from Sheffield combo Arctic Monkeys.

Joanna Lumley: We must get Ab Fab right

Joanna Lumley believes it is a little bit "mad" to reprise Absolutely Fabulous.

Apparently it's 20 years since Absolutely Fabulous burst on to our TVs. How can that be when it only feels like five minutes?

But at least it's an excuse for Jennifer Saunders to chat to her chums about the decade when comedy became the new rock 'n' roll and the alternative became the norm.

Reminiscing with her comedy partner Dawn French and hubby Ade Edmondson, the show gets off to an awkward start. Interviewer isn't a role that suits Jennifer and like the decade itself, this two-hour special only gets going at the midway point.

Clips of The League Of Gentlemen, The Royle Family and The Fast Show make a great case for a 90s revival.

And when Jen catches up with Joanna Lumley, there are hints that another series of Ab Fab might be on the cards.

Joanna Lumley 'would love Corrie return'

Joanna Lumley has revealed that she would "love" to return to Coronation Street.