As Edina Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous, Jennifer Saunders played a mum whose attitude to parenting was laid back and liberal.
But in real life, the comedienne takes a much stricter approach and has revealed that she has no time for modern child rearing which she claims prevents parents from disciplining their children and setting boundaries.
In an interview with Saturday Times magazine, Jennifer, 55, who has three daughters - Ella, Beattie and Freya - with her husband Adrian Edmondson, said: "That 'conscious parenting' is rather odd, where you spend 'quality time'.
"They [children] have to learn what life is like, that people have bad moods. People get cross. If I'm tired, and you're pushing it, I'm going to shout."
And referring to the need to teach children the importance of responsibility rather than being kind, she added: "If you want a pony, even if it's wet and dark, you go out there and you do your bloody pony."
The actress, also best known for her comedy partnership with Dawn French, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 following a routine mammogram. Tests revealed it to be several malignant lumps. She underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and following the treatment she was given Tamoxifen which she said plunged her straight into menopause and depression.
She said: "I just thought that I was cross and that the whole world was wrong. Everyone was being stupid."
Jennifer, who has written a new book, Bonkers: My Life in Laughs, is still taking an anti-depressant.
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