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Iconic TV star Joanna Lumley mobbed by fans in Sydney during first ever Australian live tour

A beloved actress and comedian was met by devoted fans as she touched down in Sydney to wrap up her first ever live tour in Australia.

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British actress Joanna Lumley has touched down in Sydney to wrap up her first ever live tour in Australia.

The legendary star arrived at Sydney Domestic Airport on Sunday to perform the Sydney leg of her live tour, Me & My Travels.

The 78-year-old was greeted by excited fans upon arrival, where she happily posed for photographs and signed autographs as she made her way out of the terminal.

British actress Joanna Lumley arrives in Sydney on October 20. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
British actress Joanna Lumley arrives in Sydney on October 20. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
This is the legendary comedian’s first ever live tour in Australia. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
This is the legendary comedian’s first ever live tour in Australia. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
The comedian and actress meets and greets waiting fans upon her arrival at Sydney Airport. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
The comedian and actress meets and greets waiting fans upon her arrival at Sydney Airport. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

Dressed in an unassuming trench coat, black tee and baggy khaki pants, Lumley was unlike the glamorous Patsy Stone she portrayed on the iconic British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

The role is her most popular one to date, with Lumley playing a trainwreck magazine editor from 1992 to 2012.

She also reprised her popular role in the Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie in 2016 as did her on-screen sidekick Jennifer Saunders, who played equally chaotic PR guru Edina Monsoon.

Lumley happily posed with fans in the terminal. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Lumley happily posed with fans in the terminal. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Fans couldn’t contain themselves when they spotted the star. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Fans couldn’t contain themselves when they spotted the star. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

Recently, Lumley starred in the surprise hit Netflix series Fool Me Once, playing Michelle Keegan’s destructive mother in-law Judith Burkett in the thriller.

However, Lumley’s career – she has also starred in Ella Enchanted, Falling for Figaro and Paddington 2 – spans more than four decades and naturally she has some stories to tell.

Her tour will detail her hilarious and interesting adventures over the years, sharing some never-before-heard stories with audiences in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth throughout October.

The tour kicked off in Brisbane on October 9 and will conclude this week with an intimate show at the Darling Harbour Theatre on Wednesday.

Lumley was just as thrilled to see her waiting fans. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Lumley was just as thrilled to see her waiting fans. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Signing autographs for a lucky fan. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Signing autographs for a lucky fan. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Lumley took time to meet and greet all her fans. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM
Lumley took time to meet and greet all her fans. Picture: MEDIA-MODE.COM

“The thought of this tour in October, travelling across Australia, has completely taken over my waking hours,” she said in a statement before arriving Down Under. “It’s utterly thrilling to start planning the stories I can tell, and the rapture (and gratitude, to be fair) with which I shall greet the audiences.”

“Nothing like this has come my way before, and I may have to be dragged off with a hook at the end of each show. Oh people! This is especially for you from me, with masses of love. I think it will be fabulous.”

Lumley and Jennifer Saunders (left) as Patsy and Edina in Absolutely Fabulous.
Lumley and Jennifer Saunders (left) as Patsy and Edina in Absolutely Fabulous.
The comedic duo arrive at the Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Aussie premiere at the State Theatre Sydney in 2016. Picture Scott Ehler
The comedic duo arrive at the Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Aussie premiere at the State Theatre Sydney in 2016. Picture Scott Ehler

Lumley is not the only famous British citizen on our shores – King Charles and Queen Camilla are also here for a five-day royal visit.

The monarch and his wife arrived in Sydney on Friday and were swiftly taken to Admiralty House in Kirribilli, the official residence of the governor-general of Australia in Sydney.

The royals then attended a service at St Thomas Anglican Church in North Sydney on Sunday and on Monday they will visit the War Memorial and Parliament House in Canberra.

On Tuesday, members of the public have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the couple outside the Sydney Opera House.

Originally published as Iconic TV star Joanna Lumley mobbed by fans in Sydney during first ever Australian live tour

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/iconic-tv-star-joanna-lumley-mobbed-by-fans-in-sydney-ahead-of-first-ever-australian-live-tour/news-story/a6247ce03af639bd758534b81a80efa5