Dawn French, the beloved star of ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, surprised her fans with a delightful photo on Instagram. The 66-year-old actress shared a rare glimpse of her husband, Mark Bignell, dressed as Santa Claus. The couple, who tied the knot in 2013, spread holiday cheer as Mark made house calls in his jolly red attire. Dawn, with her customary humor, added a playful caption, saying, “It just so happens that I am married to Santa. Here he is making a house call this evening, which is kind of him because he IS quite busy…”
Fans of Dawn French couldn’t help but love the snap, with one witty follower asking, “How did you get your Claus into him?” Others took the opportunity to wish Dawn and her family a Merry Christmas, leaving heartfelt messages of well wishes.
In recent times, Dawn French has been keeping a low profile at her Cornwall residence, which is worth a staggering £2 million. She has been recovering from a knee operation, but that hasn’t stopped her from enjoying the festive season. Dawn treated herself to a visit to the enchanting Cotehele National Trust property, a Tudor house nestled in South East Cornwall. The property boasts a stunning quay, captivating gardens, and a grand estate waiting to be explored.
After undergoing surgery, Dawn revealed a rather graphic-looking snapshot of her post-operative leg, injecting her classic humor by stating, “The clips are out! Think what you like, I’ve never loved my pins more. Still a bit wobbly, but there’s TITANIUM & COBALT in that there mother… so watch me go!”
Unfortunately, Dawn French has not been spared from injury even outside the operating room. Due to months of relying on her good knee for support, she has now encountered problems with it. In her signature style of self-deprecating humor, she joked, “So, of course, as I use my right knee to support me while the left knee heals, she is now complaining. Loudly. Perfect. LOVE getting older. LOVE IT!!!”
Dawn French and Mark Bignell exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony in Newquay in 2013. This was three years after Dawn’s previous marriage to Comic Relief legend Lenny ended. Mark, who heads a drug rehabilitation charity that Dawn’s late mother founded, keeps a low profile in the public eye. While Dawn rarely shares photographs of him, she did playfully shame him once for his hoarding tendencies, particularly as they prepared to move homes in 2022.
Dawn French is not only a talented actress but also a dedicated mother. She lovingly raised her now 32-year-old daughter, Billie, with her ex-husband and fellow comedy legend, Lenny. Dawn and Lenny adopted Billie when she was just two weeks old. In an interview with HELLO!, the actress revealed that her daughter is both her greatest challenge and her greatest source of joy.
Dawn French continues to captivate her fans with her wit, humor, and endearing snapshots of her life. Whether it be sharing a glimpse of her husband as Santa Claus, recovering from knee surgery, or amusingly navigating the challenges of getting older, Dawn French reminds us that life is a beautiful and hilarious journey.