Dawn French makes rare marriage admission after spending anniversary apart from husband

Dawn French has shared a rare insight into her marriage, admitting that she spent her recent wedding anniversary separated from her husband. The comedian is currently touring Australia with her solo stand-up show 'Dawn French Is a Huge ****', while her husband remains in the UK.

The Vicar of Dibley star, who wed charity executive Mark Bignell in 2013, marked their 11-year union without her other half. But the 66-year-old did receive a special token from him to mark the occasion.

Broadcasting to her 923,000 followers on Instagram, she said: "I'm on the other side of the world from my husband on our wedding anniversary. He gave me a heart to wear."

To punctuate her post, she shared a selfie, showing off a bronze heart pinned to her clothing, reports the Express. Revisiting her past, Dawn has also commented on navigating love after ending her marriage with fellow comic Lenny Henry.

She revealed: "I thought, 'Oh God, what do I do now? Do I have to do dating? How repulsive. I'll have to buy new pants. I did do some dating and it was excruciating and difficult as I'm not an accomplished flirter.

"Then, bang, I met somebody else. I started to claim my life back. It's a life with him."

She added: "I know that I will make a good life for myself with all sorts of things as armour. Including stuff my new chap is teaching me that I never knew. Now my life is in Cornwall with him. I hope it is a life together."

Once wedded to the seasoned comedian Lenny Henry, Dawn was married for 25 years from 1984 to 2009. The couple met on the alternative comedy scene and later adopted their daughter, Billie, expanding their family. Their union dissolved in the late 2000s, and the separation process was finally completed in 2010.