“Devoted” Archers soap fan, Queen Camilla, has posted an emotional tribute for June Spencer following her death, aged 105.
The actress had played matriarch Peggy Woolley in the BBC Radio 4 show since its first episode in 1951, and was credited as being the longest-serving character in the programme when she announced her retirement in 2022 – at the grand age of 103.
Many fans over the years, included Queen Camilla, who once invited the stars of The Archers to Clarence House for a reception to mark the show’s 70th anniversary celebrations in 2021.
Posting a message on the Royal Family’s official X account, Queen Camilla wrote: “For over 70 years, June Spencer was a much-loved part of so many people’s lives, brilliantly combining in Peggy Woolley the roles of reassuring matriarch and “gangsta granny”.
“She will be greatly missed and I send my heartfelt condolences to her family.”
Camilla also made a cameo appearance as herself in a special episode marking the 60th anniversary of the show in 2011.
June first joined The Archers for a pilot episode in 1950, and on-air her storylines saw her character tackle alcoholism, gambling and bereavement.
A statement released by the BBC, on behalf of the family, said: “June Spencer, aged 105, best known for playing Peggy in BBC Radio 4 The Archers, died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of this morning.
“Her family would like to pay particular tribute and thanks to the staff team at Liberham Lodge (care home in Surrey), who so lovingly cared for her in the last two years.”
Other tributes have poured in. Jeremy Howe, the editor of The Archers, said working with her was “one of the great privileges of my time at the BBC”, and added that aside from performing as “the ultimate matriarch of Ambridge”, she was a “brilliant actress”.
The BBC said The Archers will mark June’s character’s 100th birthday next week.
The rural drama, with its well-known jaunty theme tune, charts the ups and downs of farming life in fictional Ambridge.
Fans of the actress took to their X account to pay tribute towards her life and staggering career.
Podcasts and individuals have shared tributes online. The All About The Archers Podcast also shared their condolences and said: “We are so very sorry to learn of the death of June Spencer. We send our thoughts to her family, friends and of course #TheArchers family.”
