Absolutely Fabulous. Image shows from L to R: Bubble (Jane Horrocks), Saffron (Julia Sawalha), Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Mother (June Whitfield), Patsy (Joanna Lumley). Copyright: Saunders And French Productions / BBC
Absolutely Fabulous

Absolutely Fabulous

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 1992 - 2012
  • 39 episodes (5 series)

Public relations maven Edina and best friend Patsy drive sensible daughter Saffron up the wall with their self-absorbed, substance-abusing escapades. Stars Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks

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Episode menu

Series 5, Episode 5 - Birthin'

It's a big night for Patsy as she gears up to present a prestigious style awards ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. However it's destined to be a bigger night for Saffy, who suddenly goes into Labour, and without a doctor in sight.

Further details

Saffron's baby is on the way. Her waters have broken and ruined Patsy's one-off ensemble, destroying her chance to present the style awards at Royal Albert Hall.

With wildly ambitious presenter friend Katy Grin off to take Patsy's place, the house is put on lock down when John shorts out the electricity. Patsy plots with Marshall and his Californian new-age wife Bo to kidnap the baby for their celebrity adoption agency.

Meanwhile, John and Justin try to fix the fuse box so that the electrified security system might let the doctor in through the front door - leaving Edina to help Saffy bring the baby into the world alone.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 14th November 2003
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Friday 25th November 2011 2:00am Gold
Monday 16th January 2012 1:45am Gold
Saturday 7th April 2012 11:40pm Gold
Sunday 8th April 2012 2:30am Gold
Sunday 8th April 2012 11:00pm Gold
Friday 24th August 2012 11:00pm Gold
Saturday 25th August 2012 1:35am Gold
Monday 15th July 2013 11:20pm Gold
Tuesday 16th July 2013 2:20am Gold
Wednesday 30th March 2016 1:10am Gold
Tuesday 17th May 2016 12:50am Gold
Wednesday 25th May 2016 1:30am Gold
Saturday 25th June 2016 9:00pm Gold
Monday 6th March 2017 10:40pm W
Monday 11th December 2017 12:20am W
Monday 11th December 2017 10:00pm W
Thursday 1st February 2018 9:20pm Gold
Thursday 1st February 2018 11:35pm Gold
Wednesday 13th June 2018 2:00am Gold
Thursday 14th June 2018 1:40am Gold
Monday 18th June 2018 11:40pm W
Tuesday 19th June 2018 11:00pm W
Friday 13th July 2018 12:00am Gold
Monday 7th March 2022 12:00am Gold
Thursday 19th January 2023 9:20pm Gold
Sunday 5th March 2023 3:05am Gold
Monday 6th March 2023 12:35am Gold
Saturday 20th May 2023 12:10am Gold
Saturday 20th May 2023 11:30pm Gold
Thursday 3rd August 2023 9:20pm Gold
Friday 4th August 2023 12:35am Gold
Wednesday 1st November 2023 2:00am Gold

Cast & crew

Cast
Jennifer Saunders Edina
Joanna Lumley Patsy
Julia Sawalha Saffron
June Whitfield Mother
Guest cast
Christopher Malcolm Justin (Saffy's Father)
Mo Gaffney Bo (Marshall's Wife)
Christopher Ryan Marshall (Edina's Ex-husband)
Jane Horrocks Katy Grin
Felix Dexter John
Simon Brodkin Doctor
Writing team
Jennifer Saunders Writer
Sue Perkins Writer (Additional Material)
Ruby Wax Script Editor
Production team
Dewi Humphreys (as Dewi Humphries) Director
Jo Sargent Producer
Jon Plowman Executive Producer
Chris Wadsworth Editor
Barry Osment Editor
Harry Banks Production Designer
Simon Brint Composer
Ben Lee-Delisle Composer

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