91Èȱ¬

Queens of British comedy, French and Saunders, are to join 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 to host three Christmas and New Year specials.

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders will be making their debut as radio presenters as they bring some festive fun to the airwaves this yuletide.

The two-hour shows will be broadcast on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and the New Year Bank Holiday on 3 January and will feature an eclectic mix of chat, music and of course the pair's trademark humour.

French and Saunders are Britain's most successful female comedy double-act, having notched up over 30 years at the top of their game. Their self-titled 91Èȱ¬ One comedy sketch show spanned three decades and was widely popular for its playful humour and elaborate pop culture parodies.

The pair's last TV series, A Bucket O' French and Saunders, was broadcast in 2007 and featured a mix of old and new sketches. The comic pair took to the road during 2008 and 2009 in their French And Saunders Still Alive tour and their last official sketch together was their hilarious Mamma Mia! spoof, as part of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day in 2009.

Comedy's first ladies have been equally successful apart. As the writer and star of sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, Jennifer has won countless awards and accolades. More recently, she wrote and starred in 91Èȱ¬ One comedies Jam And Jerusalem (which Dawn also starred in) and Vivienne Vyle.

Dawn is much loved for her title role in The Vicar Of Dibley and starred in the comedy two-hander Roger And Val Just Got In earlier this year. Dawn's autobiography, Dear Fatty, was a best-seller and her first work of fiction, A Tiny Bit Marvellous, is published this autumn.

Dawn French said: "I'm chuffed to blooming heck to be joining Radio 2, not least because I get to spend quality time with a) my comedy partner, Sassy Saunders, and b) our combined record collection – two of my favourite distractions. 

"Plus, I can't wait for the opportunity to go to work with my negligee and kitten heels on and no make-up. Warning – this show may contain nuts."

Jennifer Saunders said: "I is delighted to be presenting a show on the wireless with me good pal Dawn French. We hopes to be doing talking and spinning an unusual mix of happening disc records and talking to guests if any agree to join us. What joy!"

Bob Shennan, Controller of 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 and 6 Music, comments: "French and Saunders are one of the greatest comedy double acts of our time and I'm thrilled to be welcoming Dawn and Jennifer to the network.

"Alongside their legions of fans, I'm thrilled that our listeners will be able to get their French and Saunders Christmas fix on Radio 2 this year. We are already discussing further projects with them and hope to keep the French and Saunders inimitable brand of humour on Radio 2 during 2011."

The addition of French and Saunders will strengthen Radio 2's impressive comedy portfolio. Comedians Graham Norton, Alan Carr and Paul O'Grady already host weekend shows on the station.

Other comedy successes have included Welsh stand-ups Rhod Gilbert's Bulging Barrel Of Laughs, which is currently on air; celebrity panel show Hot Gossip, hosted by Claudia Winkleman; Matt Lucas's And The Winner Is; and The Jason Byrne Show.

KA