Jennifer Saunders wrote the 'Absolutely Fabulous' movie as a bet.

The 56-year-old comedian has already written a first draft of the eagerly-awaited film based on the hit BBC TV series and has revealed she was determined to get the movie made in order to win a bet with comedy partner Dawn French.

She explained: ''Did I tell you that I'd had a bet with Dawn that I would have to pay her £10,000 if I didn't produce [the film] by the end of the year?

''We had a live radio show at the end of [last] year so I produced a first draft by [then]! I literally vomited it out. On New Year's Eve it came out!''

Saunders - who revealed actress Rebel Wilson will star and that parts of the film will be set in the French Riviera - also said she's still trying to fine-tune aspects of the script.

She told 'The Jonathan Ross Show': ''There's some stuff I like, some stuff I've cut out. It'll be an ongoing process until it's actually finished.''

Saunders has already confirmed that the likes of Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha and June Whitfield will all reprise their roles for the film.