Capturing both her warmth and her enduring youth, this is Dawn French at 60.
On her big birthday, a new portrait of the comedienne has been released that shows her looking better than ever.
The new black and white shot of the heavenly Vicar Of Dibley follows a remarkable seven and a half stone weight loss for the star as she enters her fourth decade in showbusiness.
Captured: Dawn French was beautifully captured for her 60th birthday in a portrait that shows that she’s ageing in reverse
With tousled hair, smokey eye-make-up and her loose-fitting top worn just off one shoulder seductively, it’s a sexier image for the beloved funny girl.
Known for not taking herself too seriously, the beautiful mum-of-one still can’t resist a wry smile in the photograph.
The black and white snapshot was captured by the same photographer, Neil Trevor Leighton, who captured Dawn at the student house in 1981.
My, how you’ve changed: Dawn’s glamorous new look follows a seven stone weight loss (right, in her Nineties sitcom The Vicar Of Dibley)
Better than ever: At 60, the actress and comedienne has refreshed her look (here in June)
It was a humble home in London’s trendy Shepherds Bush that she shared with comedy sidekick Jennifer Saunders when they were emerging talents.
Describing their first meeting, Dawn once described the portrait as: ‘A snap of me looking female and alternative, but mainly female. He was quite nervous.’
Neil spoke of the friendship that blossomed out of their first meeting, speaking about Dawn with great fondness.
‘Dawn is a rare breed of person, who is always there for you anytime day or night, her generosity holds no bounds, her love is unconditional.’
Throwback: Dawn was first captured by the portrait’s photographer Neil Trevor Leighton at the student home she shared with her famous sidekick Jennifer Saunders, in 1981
By her side: Dawn will enter her fourth decade in showbusiness with faithful friends by her side (here in 2004), after photographer Leighton described her as ‘a rare breed of person, who is always there for you anytime day or night’
He explains how she went on to become, not only a friend, but ‘an agony aunt, physiotherapist and God Mother to my children.’
‘Sometimes in life things happen that you can’t explain,’ he continued. ‘My relationship with Dawn is one of them – something happened that day which was to change my life.
‘Little did I know how important she was going to be as a friend, agony aunt, physiotherapist and God Mother to my children.
Transformation: Dawn (here in 2016, after her weight loss) has spoken about how joy-less she found weight loss and how she loves the old Dawn (right, in 2005)
Keeping it up: Dawn (here on Tuesday) says her weight depends on how many donuts she chooses to eat
He said of the new portrait: ‘I think it’s her best photograph yet. Not because of my talent, but because Dawn radiates beauty – it’s simple, the camera loves her.
‘It has been an honour to photograph Dawn over the past 36 years, but more than that, it’s been a privilege to call her my friend.’
To mark her 60th year, Dawn has also released a new book, entitled Me. You. A Diary.
The new Dawn: The 60-year-old has simultaneously released a new book called, Me You A Diary
The interactive journal is a unique diary designed to leave space for the reader to pen their own thoughts as they read.
Seen promoting the book on The One Show and Loose Women this week, she is also showing off a new look, following a complete dietary overhaul in preparation for a hysterectomy in 2014.
She said: ‘I shed the weight a long time ago, I go up a bit, down a bit, feel no different, I’m still Dawn, I liked the old Dawn, I may go there again, depends how many doughnuts I decide to eat.
The recovery time was said to have been facilitated at a lighter weight, with doctors advising Dawn that she could have keyhole surgery if she lost weight and would recover from the operation in three weeks.
‘Otherwise it would have been big open surgery,’ she recalled at the time. ‘And three months to recover. So, I set about dropping a few stone.’
‘No magic wand, just tiny, joyless low-cal eating and lots more walking for weeks and weeks.
‘It was grim. I lost seven-and-a-half stone. I could have the keyhole surgery. Great. That’s all it was, practical.’
Younger than ever: Dawn, here on The One Show this week, looks remarkably young and gorgeous