Absolutely Fabulous (series 1) years before, to try and escape his mother's clutches. Her long-suffering daughter, Saffron "Saffy", whom Edina is reliant upon, is a Sixth form student and remains at home. The series also the includes Edina's sweet-natured-but-slightly-batty mother (June Whitfield), whom Eddy sees as an interfering burden, and Edina's dim-witted assistant Bubble (Jane Horrocks). The series was conceived from the French and Saunders sketch 'Modern Mother and Daughter', originally written by Saunders and Dawn French. Saunders has stated that the character of Edina Monsoon was based upon Lynne Franks, a PR agent whom she had joined on holiday. The first series premiered
Absolutely Fabulous upon the emotional and financial support of her teenage daughter, who behaved like a middle-aged woman. It has no connection, other than the character's name, to the earlier film "Eddie Monsoon: A Life?", a comedy play written by Saunders' husband Adrian Edmondson in 1984 for the TV series "The Comic Strip Presents...". The name "Edina Monsoon" is derived from Edmondson's name and "Eddy Monsoon" is a nickname of his. According to an article published in "The Times", the character of Edina was based on Lynne Franks. Franks believed Saunders had observed her and her children in detail after joining them