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Absolutely Fabulous first appeared on our TV screens in November 1992. Over the years it has established itself as one of the ��ѿ��ýs best loved and most enduring sitcoms. It depicts the “women behaving badly” exploits of fashion PR Edina Monsoon, played by Jennifer Saunders, and her disreputable friend Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). Edina’s daughter, the strait-laced Saffy (played by Julia Sawalha) is appalled and embarrassed by her mother’s excesses. Edina’s own mother, played by June Whitfield and only ever referred to as “Mother”, is a semi-detached observer armed with withering put downs. On the page, Edina’s PA, was “a posh airhead”, but Jane Horrocks gave her a northern accent and transformed her into the surreal, singular Bubble. Much of the writing of the series was developed in the rehearsal room, and then performed in front of a studio audience. Producer Jon Plowman feared the worst when after the main rehearsal for the first episode, his immediate boss announced: “I've never found women being drunk very funny”. Following the success of the first series audience members began dressing up as Edina and Patsy and stars including George Michael and Cher came to watch. “Waiting to go on I was always terrified” recalls Lumley. “Ab Fab” went on to win two International Emmy awards, five BAFTA awards, and four British Comedy awards. In this episode of The Reunion, Kirsty Wark (who played a cameo role in the series, and the subsequent film) is joined by Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks and producer Jon Plowman. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Emily Williams Series Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for ��ѿ��ý Radio 4