Book excerpt: Undoubtedly the doyenne of British comedy, Dawn French has had an outstandingly successful career, beginning in the 1980s when she was part of the innovative troupe The Comedy Strip. But it was as one half of the funniest and best-loved comedy duos, French and Saunders, that she first found fame. She has continued to delight audiences over the years in roles such as that of the Reverend Geraldine Granger in the long-running and hugely popular television series The Vicar of Dibley , and her brilliantly observed performances, both on television and the West End stage, have won the hearts of millions and established her as a formidable comedic talent. This affectionate biography of Dawn tells the remarkable story of the star's rise to fame, from her childhood and the trauma of her beloved father's suicide when she was nineteen, to her partnership with Jennifer Saunders and her long-lasting marriage to Lenny Henry. It is an entertaining and often moving story that is sure to appeal to her millions of fans.