Filming starts on three specials

Absolutely Fabulous is to return for three half-hour specials, the BBC has announced.

Filming has already begun on the episodes, with Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks all reprising their roles.

The new episodes mark 20 years since the original pilot was made. The series eventually ran from 1992 to 2003, with a special in 2004.

Details of the plots have been kept secret – although the third episode will revolve around the London Olympics. The first will involve a ‘life-changing experience’ for one of the regulars and in the second, Saunders’s character Eddy sets her sights on changing the career of a ‘very big fish’.

Saunders said: ‘Its great that we are able to celebrate our 20th birthday with all the original cast. Like a good bottle of champagne we hope that we have got better with time without losing any of our sparkle.

‘Last week when we started filming in dear old West London, it was as if nothing had changed. It was raining. Nevertheless, we are so happy to be working for an audience that has grown just a tiny bit older like us, but is still willing to let us fall over on TV in the name of PR.’

Executive producer Jon Plowman, the original producer of Ab Fab, said: ‘Viewers have been fantastically loyal in their devotion to our show, so we're really thrilled to say that it's coming back for three new shows to celebrate our 20th anniversary.

‘All of the originals who are back together again are still truly absolutely fabulous and the new adventures of Edina, Patsy, Saffy, Bubble and Mother, plus a few surprising guests, will be a real treat for viewers.’

Published: 29 Aug 2011