Dawn French makes rare marriage admission after spending anniversary apart from husband

The Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French has been married to Mark Bignell since 2013 and the couple recently celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary - but they were apart

Dawn French has opened up about her marriage in a rare admission, revealing she spent her wedding anniversary away from her husband Mark Bignell while touring Australia with her one-woman stand-up show 'Dawn French is a Huge Twat'.

The beloved Vicar of Dibley actress, who wed the charity executive in 2013, celebrated their 11-year anniversary solo but received a touching gift from her spouse. Sharing the moment with her 923,000 Instagram followers, Dawn posted: "I'm on the other side of the world from my husband on our wedding anniversary. He gave me a heart to wear."

She showcased the bronze-shaped heart accessory in a selfie, reports the Express. After her split from comedian Lenny Henry, Dawn had previously discussed the daunting prospect of dating again.

She told Cornwall Live: "I thought, 'Oh God, what do I do now? Do I have to do dating? How repulsive. I'll have to buy new pants. I did do some dating and it was excruciating and difficult as I'm not an accomplished flirter."

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However, love struck again for Dawn: "Then, bang, I met somebody else. I started to claim my life back. It's a life with him."

She concluded with a positive outlook on her personal growth and the influence of her partner: "I know that I will make a good life for myself with all sorts of things as armour. Including stuff my new chap is teaching me that I never knew. Now my life is in Cornwall with him. I hope it is a life together."

Previously, Dawn was married to comedian Lenny Henry for twenty-five years from 1984 until 2009. They first crossed paths on the alternative comedy circuit and later adopted their daughter, Billie.

The couple chose to go their separate ways in the late 2000s, with the divorce being finalised in 2010.