Dawn French performs 'living' eulogy as the Vicar of Dibley for terminally ill friend

Dawn French has brought back her Vicar of Dibley character for a terminally ill friend's living funeral.

French's friend Kris Hallenga has stage four breast cancer and organised a special ceremony so she could celebrate her life before she died.

The legendary comedian shared pictures of the ceremony on her Instagram and revealed that she wore the cossack and dog collar from The Vicar of Dibley.

Writing on social media, French said: "It was my privilege & joy to Dibley it up at her FUNeral on Sat. She wanted to host the best possible party. She did. It was phenomenal."

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While French did not reveal the contents of her speech, Hallenga did post a thank you on her own Instagram, writing: "A community gospel choir @fcgccornwall, THE Vicar of Dibley, a eulogy that blew my heart into smithereens, loving/ funny/ embarrassing speeches...

"I’ve never felt love like it. I’ve never felt joy like it. I’ve never felt such kinship with mortality. I’ve never felt so alive."

The Vicar of Dibley premiered on BBC One in 1994 and ran for 20 episodes until 2007 though French has reprised the role on numerous occasions for various sketches for charity.

French is only one of two surviving cast members from The Vicar of Dibley alongside James Fleet who played Hugo Horton.

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A lockdown special paid tribute to the deceased cast members – Emma Chambers, Roger Lloyd-Pack, John Bluthal and Liz Smith. Since the special aired, Gary Waldhorn and Trevor Peacock have also died.

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