By Daily Mail Reporter


Slim pickings: Dawn French beams as she proudly displays her svelte new figure at the Galaxy National Book Awards in London


She was often referred to as a 'roly-poly' comedienne at the height of her fame.

But nowadays 'slimmed down' is a far more appropriate tag for Dawn French.

The 53-year-old showed off her svelte new figure at the Galaxy National Book Awards in London this weekend.


Dawn beamed as she posed for pictures on the red carpet, having shed a staggering four stone in recent months.

She looked great in her black dress which sat just above her knees, matching the number with a black handbag and a pair of black heels.

Her new look was a far cry from the Dawn French of old, who was famously said: 'There are two types of women: the ones who like chocolate and complete bitches’.

As she was: The comedienne is pictured just over a year ago when she weighed around 20 stone


However, that attitude has completely changed and she is now 16 stone, down from 20.

In her first interview since shedding the pounds, she explained her latest look.

‘I’m eating healthily, taking care of myself and feeling very happy indeed,’ she said. ‘Life is good. I want to go to Pilates classes, actually.’

It's all over: Dawn and her former husband Lenny Henry divorced last year after 25 years of marriage


Now Miss French, whose Vicar Of Dibley character Geraldine Granger shared a penchant for chocolate, is restricting herself to an occasional Fruit & Nut bar. She has also given up chips, opting instead for salads.

Miss French announced she had separated from husband Lenny Henry, 52, in April last year after 25 years of marriage. The couple – who have an adopted daughter Billie, 19 – saw their divorce finalised six months later.

Speaking in the latest issue of Woman magazine, she revealed that she is still single – though admitted she had been enjoying the company of new men and ‘gentlemen callers’.

‘The only thing that’s new is meeting new chaps,’ she said. ‘But what is that other than extremely exciting and very good fun? I don’t even want to call it dating, like some teenager.

‘I’m just trying to have a bit of fun every now and again. I’m taking some people up on offers and I’m not taking up other people.’

Miss French admitted she would consider marrying again but insisted she enjoys being single.

‘I’m open to marrying again but I’m certainly not thinking about it right now,’ she added.

‘I’m absolutely not finding it hard to be single. It’s all great.'


source:dailymail