Jennifer Saunders: Last News

When Lulu turned 75 last month, her celebrations were low key. “It was very chillaxed with my closest family,” she tells us. “Not a big deal and just very easy and sweet.” But if you think this means the singer is slowing down, you can think again.

Despicable Me may have launched the Minions upon the world, but Illumination achieved its biggest hit with the franchise’s first spin-off.Directed by Kyla Balda and Pierre Coffin, who also voices the titular characters, Minions charts the origins of the clumsy creatures and their pursuit of a new master in 1968.Along with Coffin, the film’s voice cast includes Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney, Steve Coogan, Jennifer Saunders and Geoffrey Rush.Ten years later, Minions is still the eighth highest-grossing animated film of all time, taking $1.15billion at the box office. It is the highest-grossing film in the Despicable Me franchise, and Illumination’s second most successful film behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie.The film’s score is by Heitor Pereira, who has provided the soundtrack to every Despicable Me film.

Shrek and his family are returning to the big screen after 16 years, with none other than Zendaya lending her vocal talents to the animated franchise. A glimpse at the upcoming movie comes with a teaser trailer, where Donkey humorously questions the magic mirror about who is the fairest, leading to a comical reveal that Shrek holds the title — thanks to some cheeky image editing by Pinocchio.The trailer also gives us a peek at Shrek's wife Fiona and their teenage daughter, voiced by Zendaya.The Challengers star, 28, couldn't resist sharing a nostalgic tweet from 2017 saying, "I watch Shrek too often in my adulthood," before adding the comment: "This aged well." Zendaya joins the star-studded cast of Shrek veterans, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Mike Myers, who are reprising their iconic roles.

EastEnders' Ruby Allen made a dramatic return to Walford last year, just in time for the soap's explosive 40th anniversary celebrations which saw her cherished on-screen partner meet a tragic fate. Ruby first graced Walford back in 2005 as the offspring of notorious gangster Johnny Allen (Billy Murray), and quickly struck up a close friendship with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). However, their bond crumbled when Ruby began dating Martin Fowler (James Bye), Stacey's ex, years later.

Davina McCall has had an eye-opening "realisation" after facing a recent health emergency. At 57, having had surgery to remove a non-cancerous brain tumour, the adored TV star is on the road to recovery.The Masked Singer judge had to deal with a colloid cyst in her brain that measured about "14 mm wide" and required immediate surgery.

The New Year's and birthday honours lists are often viewed as the ultimate recognition of a life spent in public service.These lists, brimming with thousands of names from all over the UK, both celeb and civilian, celebrate their accomplishments and contributions with awards like knighthoods, damehoods, or MBEs.The latest list is due to be revealed on the evening of 30 December 2024. However, not everyone who is offered an honour accepts it.

Davina McCall has opened up about her secret switch from judge to performer on The Masked Singer, calling it "the maddest ruse" and "one of the greatest experiences of my life".The TV favourite, who's been a staple on the ITV talent show's panel for five seasons, couldn't resist the chance to appear in the Christmas special that aired on Boxing Day, ticking off a dream moment. Disguised as a Star, Davina belted out festive tunes 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' and 'This Christmas', leaving co-panellists Jonathan Ross, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, and Mo Gilligan none the wiser.

In his latest Channel 4 passion project, Sir Lenny Henry delves into the craft of comedy, interviewing four iconic British comics on the joys and challenges of tickling the public's funny bone.Throughout this four-part series, 'Legends of Comedy,' we'll see sit-downs with Sally Phillips from 'Smack the Pony' and Romesh Ranganathan from 'The Ranganation'. Lenny confesses that exploring their comedic journeys has rekindled his desire to return to stand-up after a 15-year hiatus.The 66 year old told us, "It made me go, ‘Actually, I really fancy just getting up and doing stand up,’" adding, "It’s made me have lots of thoughts about it.

Stephen Merchant and Josh Widdicombe are the latest stars to join Celebrity Gogglebox.The 49 year old comedian and his fellow funnyman, Josh, 41, will be appearing on the celebrity version of the popular Channel 4 show, which films reactions to current television in aid of Stand Up to Cancer. Stephen shared: "I don’t usually allow talking when the TV is on, because I know how much hard work goes into making shows, so I try to give them my full attention.

Naman Ramachandran Palisades Park Pictures has secured a distribution deal with Entertainment Film Distributors (EFD) for U.K. rights to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” an adaptation of Enid Blyton‘s beloved children’s novel. The family adventure feature stars Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Claire Foy (“The Crown”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and Rebecca Ferguson (“Dune”).

Rebecca Ferguson has signed on to star in the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree.

Naman Ramachandran Rebecca Ferguson has been cast in Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance’s adaptation of Enid Blyton‘s “The Magic Faraway Tree.” The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures. Ferguson will play Dame Snap, the story’s terrifying headmistress character.

Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous, Shrek 2), Hiran Abeysekera (The Life of Pi, The Father and the Assassin) and Pippa Bennett-Warner (Gangs of London, See How They Run, Chloe) have signed on to star in the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree. 

Absolutely Fabulous characters, before she managed to convince her otherwise.The two comic actors starred as the leads in the ‘90s sitcom on the BBC, with Lumley playing Patsy Stone alongside Saunders’ Edina Monsoon.The show, which was created and written by Saunders, ran for five seasons from 1992 to 2003, before returning in 2004 for a Christmas special, a three-part series in 2012 and a feature film in 2016.The show revolves around Edina, a heavy-drinking PR mogul who is desperate to stay young and on top of fashion trends, and her best friend and fashion director Patsy, whose excesses eclipse Edina’s.In a new interview with My Weekly, Lumley, 78, has disclosed details about a conversation she had with Saunders in which they discussed bringing about the demise of the characters.Lumley said that Saunders wrote to her, asking: “Shall we just kill them off and bury them?”She continued: “I wrote back the fastest email return I’ve ever written. I said, ‘No, we’ve promised the world we will never die! And to be honest, if all that vodka and champagne they’ve necked over the years hasn’t done the job, then why on earth would their creator be able to do it?’”Although there has been no new update from the world of the show since the 2016 film, Saunders did say on her podcast with comedy partner Dawn French, Titting About, in October last year that she would write an Ab Fab-related project by the end of the year.She said it would contain “some Ab Fab-ness, but not totally Ab Fab”, but did not clarify whether it would be a film or a television series.

Get ready for a fresh batch of celebs and some familiar faces to grace your screens on Celebrity Gogglebox.The star-studded version of the popular Channel 4 show is back for its sixth series on Friday night, 7 June, with some of the nation's most-loved personalities opening their homes to viewers and sharing their thoughts on the week's most buzzed-about TV moments. Fan favourites like Rylan Clark and his beloved mum Linda are back on the sofa for another round, as are Happy Mondays icons Shaun Ryder and Bez, but there will also be some new famous faces joining the line-up this time.

The Eurovision Song Contest is set to be even more fabulous this year, as national treasure Dame Joanna Lumley has been announced as the UK spokesperson.The Absolutely Fabulous icon's role in the grand final was revealed by Eurovision commentator Graham Norton on The One Show on Friday. Joanna, a long-time fan of Eurovision, is already gearing up for her iconic role where she will be broadcasted live into the arena in Malmo, Sweden.The actress, who recently starred in Netflix's Fool Me Once, expressed her excitement saying: "Good evening Malmo, it's Joanna here! "I am delighted to be announcing the jury vote for the UK at this year's Eurovision.

TV producer Spencer Millman has announced that Sky’s popular comedy sports series Fantasy Football League has been cancelled, and no more shows will be made. The series, which was based on the 1990s cult original hosted by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, was rebooted in 2022, with Matt Lucas and Elis James taking on the presenting roles. Announcing the cancellation on X on Wednesday 24 April, Spencer wrote: “Gutted to say that Fantasy Football League won’t be returning for another run.

EXCLUSIVE: Comedian and writer Julian Clary (Julian Clary: Live – Lord of the Mince) will play the title role in this festive season’s London Palladium pantomime Robin Hood, with singer and travel show presenter Jane McDonald (Cruising with Jane McDonald) topping the bill as Maid Marion.

Helen Lederer, known for her distinctive lopsided grin and large, inquisitive blue eyes, has admitted to cheating on Harry Enfield before being cast as a sex worker.

Nicola Peltz stepped out in Victoria Beckham's iconic jacket she wore 23 years ago as rumours of their feud were finally squashed.The actress, 29, wore the recognisable Dolce & Gabanna leather jacket in tribute to her mother-in-law which is exactly the same as the one the fashion designer, 49, wore back in 2001.The legendary jacket, which took the fashion world by storm during the 2000s, originally cost £965 but is now thought to cost a whopping £7,800 for a second-hand version. Bringing back the style, Nicola wore it with a pair of blue jeans and platform-heeled boots as she ventured out in Paris on Tuesday.

A 1980s pop idol and a musical star have become the latest celebrities to go home from The Masked Singer. The ITV1 series, which sees celebrities sing while wearing elaborate costumes, had its semi-final episode on Saturday.

Viewers of The Masked Singer were left shocked after Saturday night's show saw Owl unmasked as Lorraine Kelly.Talking about her time on the show, Lorraine said: "I've loved being Owl, I've loved every single second, the show is so joyful." After Lorraine was unmasked, viewers were to quick to take to X, formerly Twitter to share their thoughts on the reveal, with one writing: "Lorraine Kelly, never would have guessed that. #maskedsingeruk" Another wrote: "I thought Lorraine was too obvious that I convinced myself it wasn’t Lorraine lmao #maskedsingeruk" and a third added: "You could have given me 1000 guesses and I'd never have gotten Lorraine Kelly.