Iconic Absolutely Fabulous character Patsy Stone is transgender, according to Joanna Lumley.

The actress made the tongue-in-cheek revelation while discussing the show’s rich history of LGBTI characters and references ahead of the release of the upcoming movie.

Speaking to V Magazine (along with Ab Fab creator and star Jennifer Saunders) Lumley said: ‘You go back and pick through it, the amount of gay references and ease with which it’s been put into the story, without it being dragged along like a great log of plot.

‘It’s really normal that one of [Edina’s] ex-husbands now lives with his young boyfriend. It’s completely normal that [Edina] wants Saffy to be a lesbian or that Serge is gay and living in New York. It’s completely normal that Patsy is transgender.’

The Champagne-swilling fashionista’s gender ambiguity is hinted at in various episodes of the show – including series two’s Morocco [above], when a flashback shows Patsy dressed as a member of the Beatles.

Saunders, who plays Patsy’s BFF Edina Monsoon, added: ‘We tried very hard, but [LGBTI people] refused to be offended – and I admire them for that. Thank God you’re hanging on in there.’

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie hits UK cinemas on 1 July, and US cinemas on 22 July.