Sue's blog: Dawn French and me
Friday 7th November 2008
A couple of weeks ago, while I was having another of my bi-annual sort-outs, I found a special book. It was a very slim volume of a French and Saunders book published at the beginning of their success.
They'd written a really sweet message inside to me. I guess it was over 20 years ago when I first met them; I both liked and admired them.
They've made us laugh, not only when they are together but for vintage characters in Absolutely Fabulous and The Vicar of Dibley. If you are like me, you can still watch those series and find them funnier every time. I swear there's always one I haven't seen before!
The Vicar of Dibley has made Dawn into a national treasure, so I was delighted that she agreed to be photographed for our special Christmas issue.
See more photos from the shoot here.
The session was, as you can imagine, really fun and relaxed. Partly because our photographer Trevor is a good friend of Dawn, but really because Dawn is so easy to work with.
She loved the clothes our stylist Rachel got for her. She loved a particular cocktail ring that she thought Lenny should know about, just in case he was thinking about Christmas. You know those hints we all drop but that so often fall on deaf ears!
It's true that Dawn loves chocolate, so it was really good for all of us chocoholics too. Jane, our Food Ed, made the most delicious chocolate almond torte - needless to say none of us said no to a piece or two (well, we had to check it was good!)
Finally I asked for a special picture for my editor's letter and this is what was shot. My own French and James moment - a very special picture that makes me smile whenever I look at it - it has the Dawn French feel-good factor.
Read her book, Dear Fatty. There's something very special about it just as there is about Dawn herself. And don't miss our exclusive interview with her in our December issue. Get a sneak preview online now.
Have good weekend
Sue
Ps. Don't forget to vote in our Strictly Come Dancing poll this week to pick your favourite man. Last week, Cherie Lunghi won your vote – and I'm voting for her too.
