An actor, writer and comedian born in Wales to English parents. She rose to stardom during the alternative comedy revolution of the 1980s alongside double-act partner Jennifer Saunders and regular collaborators such as Ruby Wax, Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson. She and Saunders starred in their own self-titled sketch series from 1987, French And Saunders, and during the 1990s French established herself further as the titular star of international hit sitcom The Vicar Of Dibley.