ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS RETROSPECTIVE ANNOUNCED FOR GOLD CHANNEL

The nation’s favourite comedy channel, Gold, takes a reflective look at Absolutely Fabulous, one of Britain’s most-loved comic creations set in the glamourous world of fashion PR in the 90s, with a brand-new one-off, Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out (1x 120’). 

The star-studded retrospective will see Jennifer Saunders (Edina “Eddie” Monsoon), Joanna Lumley (Patsy Stone), Julia Sawalha (Saffron “Saffy” Monsoon) and Jane Horrocks (Bubble) reunite for the first time since 2016.

Viewers will be taken on an exclusive rampage down memory lane to reveal how the show was made, pay tribute to much-missed castmember Dame June Whitfield (Mother) and celebrate its ground-breaking influence on female comedy.

A host of fellow Absolutely Fabulous stars will be joined by celebrity cameos and famous fans to share unheard anecdotes, exclusive backstage secrets and personal reflections amongst a glittering array of archive’s best bits: from original scripts to high-fashion costumes, to never-before-seen moments from the rehearsal room that will bring viewers behind the scenes to see how the magic of Ab Fab was made.  

Jennifer Saunders, creator and writer, who played Edina said, “I loved making Ab Fab but I can’t remember a great deal, so much of this retrospective is a revelation to me. Thank you Gold for this kind and helpful programme."

Joanna Lumley, who played Patsy, added, “"It was a fabulous wander down memory lane by actresses who only have the faintest grip on reality. Really thrilling, and I hope vastly entertaining. I loved every second."

UKTV's Kirsty Hanson said, "Absolutely Fabulous captured the imagination of a whole generation of viewers and helped break the mould for female-led comedy TV forever. Fans of the show are in for a real treat with Jennifer, Joanna, Julia and Jane reuniting for what promises to be the comedy event of the year.”

UKTV'S Gerald Casey added: “Absolutely Fabulous is a viewer favourite and is as relevant and radical today as it was over thirty years ago. We’re so excited to give fans the opportunity to celebrate this much-loved series and hear anecdotes from the wonderful cast and crew as they return to the world of Patsy and Edina.”

Owen Braben, Series Producer for Expectation, said: “It’s such a rare and precious treat to be able to invite viewers back into the world that Jennifer created, and tell the definitive story of Absolutely Fabulous. We’ll celebrate all of the most beloved Ab Fab moments, and hear the behind-the-scenes gossip from the cast and crew, as they reveal how they brought the show to our screens.”

Jon Plowman, Executive Producer for Expectation, said :  “It’s extraordinary that something that began 30 years ago is still finding an audience today. We must be doing something right… or wrong. Perhaps the secret of our success was the amount of champagne consumed on set before lunch.”

Ben Wicks, Creative Director, Entertainment for Expectation: “We’re overjoyed to make a show with Jennifer and Joanna that rejoices in all that was wonderful about Ab Fab – the most riotously funny show which satirised the era like nothing else whilst taking home more BAFTAs than Bolly in the process. Also it somehow predicted the future: now the whole nation’s parents are drunken embarrassments to their sober and politically enlightened Gen Z kids.”

The UKTV Original retrospective is produced by Expectation and will air later this year.