Family inspired Spice Girls show says Saunders

The Absolutely Fabulous star said she could not bear to let anybody else do it and “mess it up” because she and her daughters were such massive Spice Girls fans.

Saunders, who has three daughters Ella, 26 Beattie, 24 and Freya 21, with comedian husband Ade Edmondson, spoke about the musical during an interview for Radio 4’s Chain Reaction to be aired this summer.

“I got the call and I said: Yes, I’d quite like to do that; because I’d hate someone else to do it and mess it up,” she said.

The musical, Viva Forever, is co-written by Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer and follows a mother and daughter, with the backdrop of a TV talent show and using all the Spice Girls’ hits to tell the story.

Saunders has now finished writing the show and has done two workshops of the script. It is due to open in London’s West End in December. Auditions begin later this month.

The Bafta-winning comedian was being interviewed by writer Caitlin Moran for a new series of Chain Reaction, due to begin on Radio 4 on July 27.