Dawn French admits she is 'still a bit broken' after split from Lenny Henry seven years ago

Dawn French (opens in new tab) has admitted that she is 'still a bit broken' following her divorce from Lenny Henry.

The nation's favourite funnywoman left fans shocked in April 2010 when she and Lenny announced that they were separating after 25 years of marriage. The couple are parents to Billie Henry, now 26, who they adopted at just two weeks old.

Lenny Henry, Dawn French and their daughter Billie at a wedding in 2005

Their divorce was finalised later that year and Dawn went on to marry charity worker Mark Bignell in April 2013.

Despite being happily married again, Dawn - who celebrated her 60th birthday last week - has revealed that the divorce from comedian Lenny still has an effect on her.

Talking to The Mirror, the star said that she is still a 'bit broken' by it, explaining: 'I have mended myself. I have seen what happens if you stay broken.

Lenny Henry and Dawn French, 2009

'When I was single I found my new self. But I think it is OK to grieve over a relationship.'

She continued: 'I am enjoying the place I'm in. I realise I'm right there in autumn and I can't see the point in resisting it. This is what 60 looks like.'

The star, who is perhaps best known for her long-standing role as Geraldine Granger in The Vicar Of Dibley, has wowed fans with her youthful appearance during recent TV segments (opens in new tab), and says that her happiness is in part down to moving back to Cornwall with Mark, 53.

Dawn sadly lost her mum, Roma in 2012 to lung cancer, and finds it comforting to live in a place that is 'home'.

She explained: 'I've gone back to where my family are. The sense of my mum is there and that is home for me.'

'I find quiet there. I have been noisy all my life and loved it but essentially I am a quiet person.'