Star Saunders tells of battle with depression

Jennifer Saunders has opened up about suffering depression following her treatment for breast cancer.

Saunders, 53, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year after missing her previous mammogram because she was on tour.

The actress, who is resurrecting her alter-ego Edina for three Absolutely Fabulous specials, said she was unprepared for how she felt when the treatment – six months of chemotherapy – ended.

“I found the Tamoxifen [the drug which she will be on for five years] the hardest thing because it changes you,” she said.

“It’s like suddenly becoming older. You feel fagged out and it makes you feel depressed.

“You have that, ‘I want to go to bed and sleep for ever’ kind of feeling. Normally I have the energy to get up, get ready and do something, but I wasn’t starting my days until maybe 11 or 11.30, even though I was awake.”

The Ab Fab star said it was one of her best friends, psychologist Tanya Byron, who made her confront the reality that she was suffering from depression.

“I’d say, ‘The whole world is against me. Everyone else is wrong about everything.’ And she’d say, ‘No, darling, I think that might be depression.”’

The star, who has three daughters with her husband, comedian Adrian Edmondson, added: “I have to say I thought quite a lot of it was hilarious – because once you get through the fact that you’re going to feel bad, you know you’re going to get through it.”