Comedian Jennifer Saunders has made light of her cancer treatment as she spoke about her illness for the first time – joking about her “lovely pert new bosoms”.

Ms Saunders, 52, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year but kept her illness and treatment a secret for many months. It only emerged in the summer.

She has broken her silence while appearing as a guest presenter on Radio 2 which saw her revive her partnership with Dawn French.

Ms Saunders underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy after a number of malignant lumps were found. She lost her hair, like many others who undergo the debilitating treatment, and it was not until she was pictured at a party without her blonde wig that her health problems became public knowledge.

The actress, famed for her role in Absolutely Fabulous as well as her French and Saunders partnership, had been tight-lipped about her cancer until she referred to it during the programme, to be aired at 5 p.m.

She declares: “I’ve got lovely new pert bosoms.”

French chips in: “Yes, she has. That’s the upside of her poorly last years, that she has lovely new puppies. They’re gorgeous actually.”