Dawn French has claimed that women are put off going into comedy by men.

The 48-year-old is worried by the lack of young comediennes at present, and thinks promising talents take a step back to allow their male counterparts through.

"Quite a lot of the women said there had been occasions when they had curbed their funniness out of respect for men, who needed approval more. As a woman, you're supposed to let the men through," she said.

French recently topped a poll along with Victoria Wood as Britain's best female comedian.