Dawn: Mum was my inspiration
DAWN French has paid tribute to her “strong and fearless” mother Roma as she called for more respect for women.
The actress and comedian, 64, said her mother was her biggest inspiration and she would be “grateful” if she had a quarter of her strength.
Vicar of Dibley star Dawn said: “She was a pioneer when it came to changing the lives of young women with drug and alcohol issues, founding a recovery centre in Plymouth called Trevi House.
“Alone as a widow from a young age, she was strong and fearless. If I had a quarter of her strength I’d be grateful.”
Felicity “Roma” French died aged 77 in Devon a decade ago from lung cancer and pneumonia.
Dawn, who begins a live comedy tour in the autumn, says “mighty” women like her mum need to be “heard more” and deserve greater respect.
Curious
She told Good Housekeeping magazine: “There would be equal pay if women had respect – and you would be believed about abuse.
“We’re starting to be heard more and that needs to continue.”
The entertainer, who recently ditched her signature raven bob for silver locks, revealed: “The real trigger came during lockdown when I was dying my hair myself. I just couldn’t be bothered to keep doing it, so I let my natural grey come through. The plan is to grow it again like my old hairstyle.
“I’m curious to see what the bob will look like with a good strong grey.”
Of her tour, she explained: “It’s me telling stories of times when I’ve been an idiot, where I’ve misunderstood or misheard something, or got something hideously wrong during my career.”
Full interview in the April 2022 issue of Good Housekeeping on sale from today.