Dawn French has made a slightly surprising career move, taking a role at the opera.

The actress recently filmed the last ever episodes of The Vicar Of Dibley, which were aired over the Christmas and New Year period. Now she is working in London, after accepting a role in Gaetano Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment.

French's part is, however, strictly non-singing, and she is only on stage for ten minutes of the production. She plays La Duchesse de Crackentorp in the comic opera.

The show runs at the Royal Opera House until February 1.