French and Saunders are planning a nationwide tour next year.

The duo say they are getting too old for the type of sketches they do on TV – but are thinking of a live show instead.

When asked by TV Quick whether there would be another series of French And Saunders on TV, Dawn French said: ‘I think probably the time has been and gone for that.

‘I'm 49 years old - I don't want to wear a leotard or dress up as a ballerina or a stroppy teenager. There's something a bit undignified about it - I'm an old woman now, for goodness sake.

Jennifer Saunders added: ‘That’s not to say we won't be doing project together, but I think the nature of the old French And Saunders sketch show has had its time.

‘But we are thinking of going on tour together next year - so watch this space.’

French appears in Saunders’ new Womens’ Institute-based comedy Jam And Jerusalem as sweet-natured cheese factory worker Rosie who has a sinister dual personality.

The sitcom, which starts on BBC One next Friday, also stars Sue Johnson, Pauline McLynn, Joanna Lumley David Mitchell and Sally Phillips.

• Victoria Wood has reiterated her intention to move away from comedy into drama. At the launch of ITV1’s wartime drama Housewife, 49, in which she has a straight role, she said she didn’t know if she will return to comedy. She said she prefers drama because ‘you don't have the constriction of having to get so many laughs on a page’.