Ab Fab set for return to TV screens

The BBC is “putting the finishing touches” to a deal to resurrect the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

The show, which ran for five series starring Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders, was first broadcast in 1992.

Lumley, who played Patsy Stone in the show, told Hello! magazine three new episodes would be filmed later this year.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We’re putting the finishing touches to the deal to bring it back and as soon as we’re in a position to confirm it we will.”

Saunders, who wrote the show as well as playing flaky PR guru Edina Monsoon, is also writing the story for the Spice Girls musical, called Viva Forever.

The star, who is married to former Young Ones actor and writer Adrian Edmondson, was treated for breast cancer last year.