Joanna Lumley has shared a poignant tale about a beloved character from the hit BBC comedy series, Amandaland.

The popular show, which is a spin-off from Lucy Punch's Motherland, is set to return with a Christmas special following its successful first series earlier this year and an already confirmed second instalment.

As fans eagerly await the next season, they can look forward to the festive special scheduled for Christmas Day.

The BBC gave a sneak peek into the episode: "Amanda and the family head to Aunt Joan's country house, but the plans change when Mal and Anne tag along and she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child.

"Anne's in despair at being separated from her family, and Felicity is increasingly irritated by her sister's constant high spirits. Meanwhile Mal sees a hidden photo that seems to reveal a deep family secret..."

The cast sees Lucy reprising her role as Amanda, Joanna Lumley as her mother Felicity, Philippa Dunne as Anne, and Jennifer Saunders as Joan, Felicity's sister.

Speaking about the filming of the special, Joanna revealed a heartwarming anecdote about one star who "stole all our hearts away".

In a BBC press release, she disclosed: "Joan's dog Cally stole all our hearts away. She had been thrown out of a car in a plastic bag when she was four weeks old, she has become the most enchanting and wise little creature, often leaning against our legs and staring up into our eyes," reports the Mirror.

"The whole crew and cast fell for her, doing the scene in the barn with Jennifer playing my estranged sister with Cally's head on my lap was gorgeous beyond words."

Lucy, meanwhile, expressed that her favourite moments were "every single scene with Jennifer Saunders was magnificent, a hilarious delight. And Jennifer with Joanna was even better".

She gave a sneak peek into what audiences could anticipate, jesting: "It begins and ends with a pavlova and has loads of laughs in between."

This follows the BBC's announcement that Amandaland's second series would make a comeback in 2026.

Lucy shared in a press release at the time: ""I'm beyond excited to get started on Amandaland series two with our brilliantly talented lovely cast. The Christmas special is going to be an absolute cracker - it's like totes fire, with all the festive feels, for reals. Slay bells!"

Jennifer added: "I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special. Playing Joanna's on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh, who doesn't love a family reunion SoHa style!"

The Amandaland Christmas special airs on Christmas Day at 9.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.