Jennifer Saunders: Back in the Saddle - TV review

With the Olympics well and truly over, sports fans have been left with a major void this week.

However, many people have been left with new interests after watching events and competitions that they would never have dreamt of this time last month.

Step in national treasure Jennifer Saunders who last night on ITV was fronting a show on her love of horses, which would appeal to many sports fans missing the dressage and other equine events.

Jennifer Saunders: Back in the Saddle showed how the 54-year-old Lincolnshire-born girl daydreamed about riding in the Olympics from a young age.

Saunders rode horses competitively as a youngster but found the pressure difficult to cope with.

She said that she was always getting told off as a child, saying: "Things like being told off I always hated and there was a good chance at getting told off at pony club."

The comic recently decided to rekindle her equestrian love affair by taking part in the Grass Roots Challenge.

It soon becomes clear to the actress that times have changed since she was last in the saddle

Having a fear of getting hurt, the actress, famous for playing Edina Monsoon in the BBC's Absolutely Fabulous, decided to get some advice from a host of experts, including Princess Anne, whom she meets and greets at her Gloucestershire home, Gatcombe House.

The Princess Royal came out with some advice, which Saunders described as a "no-nonsense approach."

The Queen's daughter told her: "Horses always have the potential to kill you, even when they're on your side."

Saunders is trained on her way by showjumping stars "Piggy" French, Lauren Shannon and Tim Stockdale

Stockdale put the actress through her early paces, which did nothing for her nerves learning that he recently broke three vertebrae.

Saunders said: "He's the ultimate competitor and therefore I am a little terrified."

Stockdale said it was vital that actress came across as confident.

He said: "If she's lacking confidence or belief, then the horse will be able to sense that," adding: "If you want to guarantee not falling off then don't get on."

It didn't take long before Saunders was practising some jumps which, despite looking nervous, she admitted to enjoying.

Adding: "I just love jumping, I actually love jumping."

Stockdale described her style a "little sticky" at first but soon showed signs of improvement and thought she might just about be okay to take part in the competition.

He said: "With the right horses and right help, then you have a very good chance of doing it, but it won't be easy."

Throughout the show, the actress never loses sight that it is a tough task and riders need to be physically fit.

At one point she admitted: "You need to be at your physical peak – and I'm at base camp." Still, after a 40-year break from the world of competitive riding and showjumping, Saunders showed she still knows what she's doing and her love and enthusiasm for horses shined through.

Saunders also talked with everyone's favourite BBC London Olympics presenter Clare Balding, who is the first to listen to her desire to ride in the grassroots competition at Badminton.

It was great to see Saunders in good spirits and looking full of life and healthy after she revealed in 2010 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous year.

She is now in remission following a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Viewers can follow her experience next Thursday at 9pm on ITV1.

Harry Gottschalk