'I massively regret not doing drugs': Dawn French, 59, reveals she's keen to take narcotics for the first time... and is even 'up for' magic mushrooms

By Tim Lamden, Showbusiness Correspondent For The Daily Mail

Published: 19:30 EST, 8 November 2016 | Updated: 20:48 EST, 8 November 2016

She says she avoided illegal substances after becoming famous in the Eighties.

But at 59, Dawn French is now keen to make up for lost time and claims she is planning to do drugs as she gets older.

Speaking about her early days as a comedienne, she said: ‘Back then I did no drugs whatsoever, which I regret massively, and I am intending to do loads of drugs when I’m much older.

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Shock confession: At 59, Dawn French revealed she is now keen to make up for lost time and claims she is planning to do drugs as she gets older

‘Some hot drugs coursing through your veins would add to the fun of being old.

‘There are [magic mushrooms in Cornwall] but I’ve never looked for them…Magic mushrooms sound good, I’m up for that.’

The mother-of-one has had a number of health scares in recent years.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with cancer and was forced to undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Not long after, Miss French’s doctor then became convinced she had uterine cancer.

The results of a biopsy came back clear but The Vicar Of Dibley star made the decision to have a hysterectomy anyway and lost seven and half stone from her 19-stone frame to ensure the surgery was a success.

Controversial: Speaking about her early days (pictured in 1993) as a comedienne, she said: ‘Back then I did no drugs whatsoever, which I regret massively, and I am intending to do loads of drugs when I’m much older

Candid: Miss French’s comedy partner Jennifer Saunders (pictured) has previously spoken publicly about taking cocaine and smoking marijuana

Talking about taking drugs on comedian Richard Herring’s podcast, Miss French jokingly added: ‘It’d be cheaper for a start. A feeble old body and a bit of crack cocaine go together really quite well.’

Miss French’s comedy partner Jennifer Saunders has previously spoken publicly about taking cocaine and smoking marijuana.

During an interview for the BBC’s Newsnight in 2014, Miss Saunders said: ‘I’ve smoked a couple of spliffs, I’ve probably had two or three lines of coke in my life but I’ve never really [taken a lot of drugs]’.

New horizons: Next month, Miss French, who lives with her husband Mark Bignell in Cornwall, is starring in new four-part drama Delicious on Sky 1 (pictured in 1993)

Next month, Miss French, who lives with her husband Mark Bignell in Cornwall, is starring in new four-part drama Delicious on Sky 1.

She was previously married to fellow comedian Sir Lenny Henry with whom she adopted her daughter Billie, 25.

The couple divorced in 2010 after 26 years of marriage. 

 Honest: During an interview in 2014, Jennifer said: ‘I’ve smoked a couple of spliffs, I’ve probably had two or three lines of coke in my life but I’ve never really [taken a lot of drugs]’

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