...but it didn't go to plan.

Jennifer Saunders has revealed she and Dawn French once bought an ecstasy tablet to share – but it didn’t quite go to plan.

Speaking on the first episode of The Claudia Winkleman Show, which airs on BBC One at 10.40pm tomorrow, Saunders said: ‘Dawn and I once thought we’d be really daring, and we got an ecstasy tablet. 

'We thought one day when we’re alone… and it became such a matter of planning as to when we could take half an ecstasy tablet. We kept it on Dawn’s mantlepiece and one day – about six months later – we thought okay, we’re ready. We had water, we didn’t know what to expect at all and….the pill had gone! 

‘It was quite a relief. No drugs for us!’

Tom Allen, a fellow guest on the show, suspected a culprit and suggested:  ‘The dog was outside jumping up and down!’

Meanwhile, Allen found a new admirer on the show – in the form of Hollywood legend Jeff Goldblum.

As the comedian talked about taking on the role of Ruth in Titanique in the West End, fellow guest Goldblum wistfully commented: ‘You look like a very young handsome John Travolta!’

Allen went on to discuss his debut novel, Common Decency, a tale inspired by suburban life.

He said: ‘Suburbia is sort of a boring place that everyone ignores but actually I’ve realised that’s where all drama happens

‘I live in Bromley which is archetypal suburbia, and I’ve come to love all those trappings like the WhatsApp group. It’s supposed to be to help your neighbours but really, it’s a load of idiots shouting nonsense into the wind.

‘The only time I like it is when people say they’re putting furniture out on their driveway. Something I like to call "street tapas"!’

He then described the character of Miranda from the novel as ‘someone who - even though she’s in her 80s - wants to experience all of life. She’s had a bucket list and now she has a fuck it list! That includes taking acid. I just think that if I make it to an old age, rather than going out with a whimper, wouldn’t it be great to experience acid.’

And it was that which prompted Saunders’ ecstasy story.

Also on tomorrow night's show is West End musical star and Actress Vanessa Williams.

Published: 12 Mar 2026