She has been a long serving patron of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.
And Joanna Lumley took on the role of auctioneer at Christie’s in London on Wednesday in aid of the organistion.
The actress, 74, auctioned seven lots which are part of a Valuable Books and Manuscripts sale that showcases book illustration throughout the centuries.
Event: Joanna Lumley took on the role of auctioneer at Christie’s in London on Wednesday in aid of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity
The lots included one-of-a-kind illustrations and pieces by the charity’s Co-President and Roald Dahl illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake.
Joanna cut an elegant figure for the event, donning a black blazer with a white top while she also sported an eye-catching green necklace.
According to RoaldDahl.com, highlights from the collection include stained-glass window panels featuring Willy Wonka and Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG.
The auction comes after Joanna and Sheridan Smith led the stars joining the This Morning team to perform in a ‘mash-up’ pantomime performance.
Auction: The actress, 74, auctioned seven lots which are part of a Valuable Books and Manuscripts sale that showcases book illustration throughout the centuries
Illustrations: The lots included one-of-a-kind illustrations and pieces by the charity’s Co-President and Roald Dahl illustrator, Sir Quentin Blake
The Absolutely Fabulous actress, and Cilla star, 39, will join hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on stage for the virtual festive production.
The pantomime will support the struggling theatre industry after several pantos have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis and give viewers the opportunity to watch a fun performance from home.
The theatre industry has been one of the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many venues still closed or reopening with reduced audiences after being forced to shut their doors in March.
Taking place on Friday 11 December, Joanna and Sheridan will also be joined by Christoper Biggins and Gyles Brandreth on stage.
Glamour: Joanna cut an elegant figure for the event, donning a black blazer with a white top while she also sported an eye-catching green necklace
Collection: Highlights from the collection include stained-glass window panels featuring Willy Wonka and Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG
Radiant: Joanna, who let her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, also sported a pair of hoop earrings at the event
The ‘mash-up’ will combine a collection of popular panto classics such as Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Pan, Aladdin and Snow White – to name a few.
The main storyline will see Holly, 39, star as Cinderella as she attempts to attend the This Morning Ball with her best friend, Buttons, played by Phillip, 58.
Joanna will play the wicked step-mother on a ‘mission to destroy the fun’ with Sheridan starring as Peter Pan.
Presenters Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford will be playing Santa and Mrs Claus with new Friday host Alison Hammond the fairy godmother.
It’s behind you! Joanna (pictured in character) and Sheridan Smith have led the stars joining the This Morning team to perform in a ‘mash-up’ pantomime performance
Support: The pantomime will support the struggling theatre industry after several pantos have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis and give viewers the opportunity to watch a fun performance from home (Holly and Phillip pictured)
Talking about the fun performance, Joanna said: ‘All of us who appear in front of the audience are painfully aware of the desperate situation of everyone who makes shows and plays happen: the chorus and crowd artists and dancers…
‘And then backstage, choreographers and chorus masters, props and costumes and dressers, and writers… the list goes on and on.
‘To be able to help them in any small way is a privilege and a pleasure; and I am thrilled that we shall be paying tribute to them in this sensational one-off pantomime.
‘They don’t get any of the financial help that is being dished out across the country; so we must do our very best for them now when they need us most.’
This Morning’s Panto will air Friday 11 December from 10am on ITV.
Lovely: Joanna said of the panto: ‘To be able to help them in any small way is a privilege and a pleasure; and I am thrilled that we shall be paying tribute to them in this sensational one-off pantomime.’ (pictured in November)