Dawn French returning to the BBC for 'a sitcom where I can keep my top on'

Dawn French recreates iconic puddle jump in 2009

BBC have announced Dawn French is set to appear in its new comedy show Can You Keep a Secret?

The six-part series will see the TV icon play the role of Debbie Fenton, who has to deal with the unexpected death of her hermit-like husband William (played by Mark Heap)

Now a widow, Debbie makes the outlandish decision to put her family under extreme pressure like they’ve never had before.

Speaking about the programme, the 66-year-old said: "At last... a sitcom where I can keep my top on... mostly."

A synopsis of the show teases that her character will stop at nothing to ensure that her family is protected.

Dawn French is making a sitcom comeback on the BBC (Image: BBC)

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Although it appears as though she is the person who they need protecting from as she’s hiding a big secret.

Her husband isn’t really dead as there was a huge mistake, resulting in the two retirees grabbing an opportunity they think is too good to pass up.

Their plan is simple, all William has to do is hide out in the loft until the life insurance pays out, then he can live out his golden years in peace with Debbie.

However, it all seems a bit too much for their frazzled son Harry who believes he’s getting a huge amount for his dad’s ‘death’ which would help with his own family.

Mark Heap will play Dawn's husband in the BBC show (Image: GETTY)

When he’s reunited with the dad he’s just pretended to bury, the reality of what his parents are doing hits.

Harry’s then stuck with a huge lie on his shoulders while he finds himself sandwiched between two generations of toddlers,

Will Debbie and her family be able to keep the huge secret that William is still alive? Or will someone let slip it’s all a con?

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The TV icon will be playing a "widow" in Can You Keep a Secret? (Image: BBC)

Speaking about the upcoming show, Jon Petrie, Director of BBC Comedy, said: “Can You Keep a Secret? hilariously delves into a rarely portrayed stage of the family life cycle, blending classic sitcom elements with an exhilarating farcical crime twist.

“With Dawn French and Mark Heap leading the cast, this is an irresistible new comedy and I can’t wait for BBC viewers to see it.”

It’s not yet known when the six-part series will air with the BBC stating announcements will be made in “due course”.

Dawn French returning to the BBC for 'a sitcom where I can keep my top on'

Dawn French returning to the BBC for 'a sitcom where I can keep my top on'

Dawn French returning to the BBC for 'a sitcom where I can keep my top on'

Dawn French returning to the BBC for 'a sitcom where I can keep my top on'

Dawn French returning to the BBC for 'a sitcom where I can keep my top on'