New York Pride award for sitcom

The stars of Absolutely Fabulous are to be honoured during this week's gay pride celebrations in New York.

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley are flying out to Manhattan to receive an award from Whoopi Goldberg on Thursday.

New York State has also declared the week Absolutely Fabulous Week.

Celebrations will include an Ab Fab lookalike competition in Manhattan's fashionable XL nightclub, which recently featured in Sex and the City.

Saunders said: "It is a true honour to be the recipients of the 2002 Pride Award. While Edina and Patsy are certainly not role model material, we are pleased that Absolutely Fabulous has such loyal following in the US."

And Lumley added: "It's especially gratifying that, from the start, we had the enthusiastic support and encouragement of the gay community."

After picking up their Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Award, the pair will take part in New York's 5th Avenue Gay Pride Parade on Sunday.

"I'm thrilled that both Jennifer and Joanna have come to New York to receive the Pride Award," said New York State Senate Democratic Leader Martin Connor. "Absolutely Fabulous has huge appeal to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, but even more important than laughs, the show has depicted these disenfranchised communities in positive and affirming ways and that is helpful in the struggle for civil rights."

Absolutely Fabulous made its US debut in 1994 on Comedy Central and currently runs on cable channel BBC America.

Published: 25 Jun 2002