Jane Horrocks says Jennifer Saunders would struggle with 'restrictions' of writing Absolutely Fabulous today

Actor suggested Saunders would not be permitted the same ‘free rein’ she had when writing the original show

The Singapore Grip star Jane Horrocks has suggested that Absolutely Fabulous creator Jennifer Saunders would have a hard time making her show today.

Horrocks, who played the character of Edna’s assistant Bubble in the sitcom, told The Sun that Saunders had free rein over her show for the first few series.

“When Jennifer started writing Ab Fab, in the first few series nobody bothered her at all. She had free rein to write what she wanted and there were no producers who interfered with her work,” she said.

“They didn’t say, ‘You can’t write that’, or, ‘You have to write that’. I think that she personally would have a very different experience writing for today’s television because I don’t think she would be allowed free rein.”

Horrocks suggested that Saunders “might struggle with the restrictions she would have to adhere to”.

Fans will get to see "the Chanel of babies" all grown up

Absolutely Fabulous was based on the French and Saunders sketch “Modern Mother and Daughter”, and starred Saunders as the substance-abusing PR agent, Edina Monsoon.

In 2000, the show was ranked 17th on the British Film Institute’s list of 100 Greatest British Television Programmes.

Horrocks currently stars in the ITV drama The Singapore Grip, with co-stars including Charles Dance and David Morrissey.

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