Fans of the iconic comedy series the Vicar of Dibley broke down in tears. At the same time, in character as Geraldine, Dawn French paid a tearful tribute to the character Alice Tinker, played by the late Emma Chambers, in a 2020 special lockdown episode.
The second of three 10-minute specials featured Dawn returning as the lively vicar.
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However, this episode had a somber tone as she talked about the then-surging Black Lives Matter movement before taking a knee on a grassy area in the village.
Geraldine then went home, where she spoke directly to the camera about her best friend Alice, who passed away three years ago.
She said: “OK friends, dear friends, this is going to be a weird one, as it’s about love, and laughter and loss.[1]
“Because Dibley is such full of life but everywhere I go now, if I’m standing in my kitchen, if I go into the vestry, it’s always little Alice Tinker I see.
And she died, three years ago this week.”
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She continued: “Who is the person I’ve most loved in my life? Well I’m very fond of my handsome husband, but in the end it’s got to be her. My own darling dumb blonde.
“She had one husband, six children and three brain cells. But so much love in her heart she could defrost a frozen pizza on a winter’s day. She wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box but when we lost her, all our lights went out.”
Geraldine then shared that Alice died after battling cancer. She recalled her first impressions upon meeting her bright-eyed assistant so many years ago.
Geraldine said: “I believe in eternal life in heaven but I also believe in eternal life on earth, because those who die are eternally here, alive in our memories and in who we are.”
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Her voice growing thick with emotion, a tearful Geraldine added:
“Because of….because of how they changed us.
“So message for today, love the ones you’re with especially today in these hardest of times and God bless you all.”
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As images of actress Emma Chambers, who played the character Alice and passed away in 2018, appeared on screen, fans cried along with Geraldine.
Image Source: YouTube
One person tweeted:
“Oh @Dawn_French your beautiful tribute to Alice just caught me unawares and made me cry. Your words were just beautiful! The #vicarofdibley is simply brilliant and we have missed it, and you so much. Thank you”
Another added: “That was a beautiful episode of #VicarOfDibley @Dawn_French speaking so fondly of “Alice” made me cry! Thank you”
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A third tweeted: “how on Earth did you get through that!? #vicarofdibley I’m in bits. Such a lovely tribute. Thank you Vicar of Dibley team”
In the video below, you can watch Geradine’s heartwarming tribute to her dear friend Alice.
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Sources:
- “TEARS FOR TINKER The Vicar of Dibley fans break down in tears with Dawn French as Geraldine pays tearful tribute to Alice Tinker” The Sun. Jill Robinson. December 14, 2020.
