Honour for French & Saunders

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are to become the first women to receive an honorary Golden Rose at the Montreux Television Festival.

The accolade has been given only ten times in the festival's 42 years, with recipients including Benny Hill, Monty Python and the BBC.

The award will be presented "for their unique contribution to television comedy" at the Swiss festival next week, the Independent reports.

A spokesman told the paper: "The award recognises their work together as French and Saunders over the last 20 years as well as their solo series such as Absolutely Fabulous and The Vicar of Dibley."

Dawn French's husband, Lenny Henry, won a Golden Rose for his sketch show last year.

For the nominations for this year's awards, click here.

Published: 17 Apr 2002