French & Saunders receive Comedy Legend Award

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Kate Stone

They reunited last Friday for Comic Relief and now French & Saunders are in the news again with the announcement they are to be presented with this year’s Aardman Slapstick Comedy Legend Award. Just as the comedy duo mark 30 years since they first appeared on the BBC!

Mel Giedroyc, formerly of fellow double act Mel & Sue will present the pair with the honour, on behalf of Bristol’s vintage comedy festival Slapstick this June.

The gong will come as a custom made French & Saunders version of the Aardman character Morph. Slapstick’s festival director Chris Daniels said: “Together, they became the UK’s best known female comedy duo, setting an example which opened up opportunities for many other women comedians.”

Dawn said:  “I just can’t believe we are receiving the Aardman Slapstick Award. Actually, wait a minute… on second thoughts, I can, because it’s happening on June 22 and I’ve already bought a lovely new top s’pecially…”

Previous winners of the award have been Ken Dodd, Barry Cryer, Barry Humphries and Jennifer Saunders’ comedy mother June Whitfield.

Picture of Kate Stone
Kate Stone
Kate Stone is the editor of Funny Women and an award-winning script writer. She has written comedy sketches for the BBC's 100 Women project and created the Funny Women Awards Comedy Shorts category.
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