Monday, 26 December 2011

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Dawn French: I still have Lenny Henry as a friend - but I have a new life

Dawn French is taking on new challenges

Dawn French is enjoying life as a single woman

Since her split from comedian and husband of 25 years Lenny Henry, 53, last year, Dawn French, 54, is looking at life afresh.

Not only has she lost an estimated 6st and published best-selling new novel A Tiny Bit Marvellous, she's also started dating. But she and Len remain close.

'I see him all the time. I still have him as a friend. There's nothing for me to regret in that marriage,' she says.

'I don't feel I'm starting again, I'm just on the next phase.

"I'm just trying to have a bit of fun every now and again.

'I go out a lot in Cornwall, I go to music things, I go out to dinner a lot, I go to gallery opening so I do meet new people

'Equally, I'm not a predator, I'm not going out looking...'

Dawn, who starred with Jennifer Saunders in TV comedy show French And Saunders and took the lead role in The Vicar Of Dibley , has also recently turned down television work to concentrated on her new love - writing. She's working on her second novel.

'Writing is such an important part of my life,' she tells The Daily Mirror, 'I just feel grateful that I've found it.

'This is my future career. This is where my heart is.'

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