Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley lived up to their Absolutely Fabulous reputations as they switched on the Christmas lights for Stella McCartney’s London store.

The pair, who will reprise their roles as boozy best friends Edina “Eddy” Monsoon and Patsy Stone in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the TV series, were the guests of honour at the fashion designer’s Bruton Street store.

The comedy duo arrived in character with Jennifer opting for a fluffy mohair gilet, an orange top and geometric print trousers, while her 69-year-old sidekick – who had styled her blonde hair in Patsy’s signature beehive style – wore a camel coat by Stella.

Both Jennifer and Joanna – and their alter-egos Eddy and Patsy – have a long-running friendship with Stella after inviting her to guest star on the sitcom.

Joanna Lumley, Stella McCartney and Jennifer Saunders
Joanna Lumley, Stella McCartney and Jennifer Saunders (Ian West/PA)

They also presented the Best Brand prize to the designer at the British Fashion Awards on November 23, where they joked her win had “come out of nowhere”.

Jennifer, 57, previously switched on Stella’s Christmas lights with Emma Bunton in 2011.

The comic stars were joined by Salma Hayek, the Rolling Stones’s Ronnie Wood, Luke Evans, Jessica Brown Findlay, Paul Whitehouse, Lily Cole and Kelly Hoppen at the glitzy event.