Who is Helen Lederer? Everything you need to know about the Absolutely Fabulous actress and Celebrity Big Brother 2017 contestant
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Helen Lederer has been rumoured for Celebrity Big Brother on numerous occasions - including last series but this year she finally showed up on launch night.
Last year, the Absolutely Fabulous actress was one of the first stars linked to the lineup, however when it came to the launch night, she unexpectedly didn't appear in the show opener.
The next day, Helen told her Twitter followers that the rumours had been based on a misunderstanding.
But now that the comedian's finally in the CBB house, we're in for some laughs. Here is everything you need to know about her…
(Image: PA)
Who is Helen Lederer and where is she from?
Born on September 24, 1954 in Llandovery, Wales, to an English mother and Czech father, Helen grew up in Eltham, south east London and was educated at Blackheath High School.
The actress and comedian has a BA in applied social science and received a doctorate from Middlesex University.
Helen was previously married to Roger Alton, former editor of the Observer, with whom she had daughter Hannah Lederer, also an an actress.
Now, Helen is married to Chris Browne, a GP.
The self-proclaimed party lover decided late last year that she needed to lose weight after her love of “the bolly” played havoc on her waistline. In an interview with the Mirror, she described how she shed the pounds during a hardcore detox retreat in December 2016.
Why is Helen Lederer famous?
Helen is one of Britain’s most familiar comedy character actresses. Helen is best known for her role as the dippy Catriona in all five series of Absolutely Fabulous between 1992 and 2012.
(Image: BBC)
She has a string of theatre credits to her name including West End productions Educating Rita and Calendar Girls.
The mum-of-one was also cast in Cbeebies TV show Old Jack's Boat where she played Miss Bowline-Hitch - a kindly, middle-aged lady who cycles through the town doing busy things, organising the lives of the village.
TV appearances aside, Helen also does stand-up comedy, writes regular newspaper columns on topics ranging from feminism to wine, and she has written a number of books includeing her comedy novel 'Losing It', which was published on in February 2015 by Pan Macmillan.