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{{short description|English actress (1925–2018)}}
 
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = [[Dame]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Dame]]
| name = June Whitfield
| image = June Whitfield.webp
| image = File:June Whitfield 2013 (A) (cropped).jpg
| caption =  
| caption = Whitfield at the 2013 [[Slapstick Festival]]
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}}
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}}
| birth_name = June Rosemary Whitfield
| birth_name = June Rosemary Whitfield
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1925|11|11|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1925|11|11|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|12|29|1925|11|11|df=yes}}   
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|12|29|1925|11|11|df=yes}}   
| death_place = [[London]], England
| death_place = [[London|London]], England
| birth_place = [[Streatham]], London, England
| birth_place = [[Streatham|Streatham]], London, England
| occupation  = Actress
| occupation  = Actress
| resting_place = All Hallows Church, [[Tillington, West Sussex]], England  
| resting_place = All Hallows Church, [[Tillington, West Sussex|Tillington]], England  
| years_active = 1944–2016
| years_active = 1944–2016
| known_for    = {{plainlist|
| known_for    = {{plainlist|
Line 24: Line 21:
}}
}}
| spouse      = {{marriage|Tim Aitchison|1955|2001|end=died}}
| spouse      = {{marriage|Tim Aitchison|1955|2001|end=died}}
| children    = [[Suzy Aitchison]]
| children    = [[Suzy Aitchison|Suzy Aitchison]]
}}
}}


'''Dame June Rosemary Whitfield''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}} (11 November 1925&nbsp;– 29 December 2018){{efn|The date of death has been consistently reported by the press as Friday 28 December 2018. However, the order of service for the funeral (pictured in the BBC source)<ref name="BBC funeral" /> clearly shows the dates "11th November 1925 – 29th December 2018", so it is understood that Whitfield died in the early hours of Saturday 29 December 2018.}} was an English radio, television, and film actress.
'''Dame June Rosemary Whitfield''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|DBE}} (11 November 1925&nbsp;– 29 December 2018){{efn|The date of death has been consistently reported by the press as Friday 28 December 2018. However, the order of service for the funeral (pictured in the BBC source)<ref name="BBC funeral" /> clearly shows the dates "11th November 1925 – 29th December 2018", so it is understood that Whitfield died in the early hours of Saturday 29 December 2018.}} was an English radio, television, and film actress.


Her [[Breakthrough role|big break]] was a lead in the radio comedy ''[[Take It from Here]]'', which aired on the [[BBC Light Programme]] in 1953. Television roles soon followed, including appearances with [[Tony Hancock]] throughout his television career. In 1966, Whitfield played the leading role in the television sitcom ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', which ran for three series. She also appeared in four [[Carry On (franchise)|''Carry On'']] films: ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972), ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973), and ''[[Carry On Columbus]]'' (1992).
Her [[Breakthrough role|big break]] was a lead in the radio comedy ''[[Take It from Here]]'', which aired on the [[BBC Light Programme|BBC Light Programme]] in 1953. Television roles soon followed, including appearances with [[Tony Hancock]] throughout his television career. In 1966, Whitfield played the leading role in the television sitcom ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)|Beggar My Neighbour]]'', which ran for three series. She also appeared in four [[Carry On (franchise)|''Carry On'']] films: ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), ''[[Carry On Abroad]]'' (1972), ''[[Carry On Girls]]'' (1973), and ''[[Carry On Columbus]]'' (1992).


In 1968, Whitfield and [[Terry Scott]] began a long television partnership, which peaked with roles as husband and wife in ''[[Happy Ever After (UK TV series)|Happy Ever After]]'' (1974–1979) and ''[[Terry and June]]'' (1979–1987). From 1992 to 2012, Whitfield played Edina Monsoon's mother in [[Jennifer Saunders]]' ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]''. She played a regular character in ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' (2005–2010) and a recurring character in ''[[The Green Green Grass]]'' (2007–2009).
In 1968, Whitfield and [[Terry Scott]] began a long television partnership, which peaked with roles as husband and wife in ''[[Happy Ever After (UK TV series)|Happy Ever After]]'' (1974–1979) and ''[[Terry and June]]'' (1979–1987). From 1992 to 2012, Whitfield played Edina Monsoon's mother in [[Jennifer Saunders|Jennifer Saunders]]' ''[[Absolutely Fabulous|Absolutely Fabulous]]''. She played a regular character in ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' (2005–2010) and a recurring character in ''[[The Green Green Grass]]'' (2007–2009).


From 1993 to 2001, Whitfield played [[Miss Marple]] in the [[Miss Marple (radio series)|radio dramatisation]] of all twelve of [[Agatha Christie]]'s Miss Marple novels on [[BBC Radio 4]].<ref name="EpiList">{{cite web |title=Miss Marple on BBC Radio, June Whitfield| url=http://www.geocities.com/gregorym101/marple.html |access-date=21 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808154228/http://geocities.com/gregorym101/marple.html |archive-date=8 August 2009}}</ref>
From 1993 to 2001, Whitfield played [[Miss Marple|Miss Marple]] in the [[Miss Marple (radio series)|radio dramatisation]] of all twelve of [[Agatha Christie|Agatha Christie]]'s Miss Marple novels on [[BBC Radio 4|BBC Radio 4]].<ref name="EpiList">{{cite web |title=Miss Marple on BBC Radio, June Whitfield| url=http://www.geocities.com/gregorym101/marple.html |access-date=21 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808154228/http://geocities.com/gregorym101/marple.html |archive-date=8 August 2009}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
June Rosemary Whitfield was born at 44 Mount Ephraim Lane in [[Streatham]], [[London]], in 1925, to John Herbert Whitfield and his wife Bertha Georgina née Flett.<ref name="Museum">{{cite news |url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/whitfieldju/whitfieldju.htm |title=Whitfield, June – British Comedy Actor |publisher=The Museum of Broadcast Communications |access-date=1 March 2007 |archive-date=7 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207101433/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/whitfieldju/whitfieldju.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=whitfield&yearOfDeath=1956&page=3#calendar |title=Find a will &#124; GOV.UK}}</ref> Her father was the managing director of a company called Dictograph Telephones that had been founded by his father in [[Yorkshire]], and both of her parents were keen amateur actors.<ref name=fabulous>{{cite book |date=17 September 2009 |first=June |last=Whitfield |isbn=978-0297855620 |title=June Whitfield At a Glance – An Absolutely Fabulous Life |publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson}}</ref> She made her first stage appearance, aged three, after her mother enrolled her at Robinson's Dance Studio.<ref name="Express">{{cite news |title=Glorious June |newspaper=[[Daily Express]] |date=28 July 2007}}</ref> Whitfield attended [[Streatham and Clapham High School|Streatham Hill High School]], before being evacuated during the [[Second World War]] to [[Bognor Regis]], where she attended St Michael's School, and then to [[Penzance]] in [[Cornwall]]. She moved with her parents to [[Huddersfield]], where she learned shorthand and typing. She continued to study secretarial skills at [[Pitman shorthand|Pitman's]] College, [[Brixton Hill]].<ref name=andJune>{{cite book |year=2000 |first=June |last=Whitfield |isbn=0-552-14767-2 |title=...and June Whitfield The autobiography |publisher=Corgi Books}}</ref> In 1944, Whitfield graduated from the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] with a diploma.<ref name="Museum"/>
June Rosemary Whitfield was born at 44 Mount Ephraim Lane in [[Streatham|Streatham]], [[London|London]], in 1925, to John Herbert Whitfield and his wife Bertha Georgina née Flett.<ref name="Museum">{{cite news |url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/whitfieldju/whitfieldju.htm |title=Whitfield, June – British Comedy Actor |publisher=The Museum of Broadcast Communications |access-date=1 March 2007 |archive-date=7 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207101433/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/whitfieldju/whitfieldju.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=whitfield&yearOfDeath=1956&page=3#calendar |title=Find a will &#124; GOV.UK}}</ref> Her father was the managing director of a company called Dictograph Telephones that had been founded by his father in [[Yorkshire]], and both of her parents were keen amateur actors.<ref name=fabulous>{{cite book |date=17 September 2009 |first=June |last=Whitfield |isbn=978-0297855620 |title=June Whitfield At a Glance – An Absolutely Fabulous Life |publisher=Weidenfeld & Nicolson}}</ref> She made her first stage appearance, aged three, after her mother enrolled her at Robinson's Dance Studio.<ref name="Express">{{cite news |title=Glorious June |newspaper=[[Daily Express]] |date=28 July 2007}}</ref> Whitfield attended [[Streatham and Clapham High School|Streatham Hill High School]], before being evacuated during the [[Second World War]] to [[Bognor Regis]], where she attended St Michael's School, and then to [[Penzance]] in [[Cornwall]]. She moved with her parents to [[Huddersfield]], where she learned shorthand and typing. She continued to study secretarial skills at [[Pitman shorthand|Pitman's]] College, [[Brixton Hill]].<ref name=andJune>{{cite book |year=2000 |first=June |last=Whitfield |isbn=0-552-14767-2 |title=...and June Whitfield The autobiography |publisher=Corgi Books}}</ref> In 1944, Whitfield graduated from the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] with a diploma.<ref name="Museum"/>


==Career==
==Career==
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In 1971, Whitfield and [[Frankie Howerd]] recorded a novelty comic version of the song "[[Je t'aime... moi non plus|Je t'aime]]", previously recorded by [[Jane Birkin]] and [[Serge Gainsbourg]], in which she featured as "Mavis".
In 1971, Whitfield and [[Frankie Howerd]] recorded a novelty comic version of the song "[[Je t'aime... moi non plus|Je t'aime]]", previously recorded by [[Jane Birkin]] and [[Serge Gainsbourg]], in which she featured as "Mavis".


She was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' on two occasions: in April 1976, when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] at her home in Wimbledon;{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} and in March 1995, when [[Michael Aspel]] surprised her at [[BBC Television Centre]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
She was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' on two occasions: in April 1976, when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]] at her home in Wimbledon; and in March 1995, when [[Michael Aspel]] surprised her at [[BBC Television Centre]].


During the 1980s, Whitfield returned to radio comedy. From 1984, she could be heard with [[Roy Hudd]] on the [[satire]] programme ''[[The News Huddlines]]'',<ref name="Museum"/> which finished in 2001. On it she often used impersonations and was known for her impression of the then [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Margaret Thatcher]].<ref name="Museum" /> During the 1980s and 1990s, she made several stage appearances, including in a revival of ''[[An Ideal Husband]]'' and the pantomime ''[[Babes in the Wood]]''.<ref name="Museum" /> In 1985, she sang a duet with [[Ian Charleson]] of the [[Irving Berlin]] song "[[You're Just in Love]]" in ''A Royal Night of One Hundred Stars''.
During the 1980s, Whitfield returned to radio comedy. From 1984, she could be heard with [[Roy Hudd]] on the [[satire]] programme ''[[The News Huddlines]]'',<ref name="Museum"/> which finished in 2001. On it she often used impersonations and was known for her impression of the then [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Margaret Thatcher]].<ref name="Museum" /> During the 1980s and 1990s, she made several stage appearances, including in a revival of ''[[An Ideal Husband]]'' and the pantomime ''[[Babes in the Wood]]''.<ref name="Museum" /> In 1985, she sang a duet with [[Ian Charleson]] of the [[Irving Berlin]] song "[[You're Just in Love]]" in ''A Royal Night of One Hundred Stars''.
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==Radio==
==Radio==
=== Miss Marple ===
=== Miss Marple ===
{{main|Miss Marple (radio series)}}
Whitfield played [[Miss Marple|Miss Marple]] in 12 [[BBC Radio 4|BBC Radio 4]] adaptations of novels by [[Agatha Christie|Agatha Christie]]. She reprised the role in 2015, starring in three adaptations of Miss Marple short stories (Tape-Measure Murder, The Case of the Perfect Maid, and Sanctuary).<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03p87br/episodes/guide BBC Radio 4 Extra Episode Guide: Miss Marple] ''BBC Radio 4 Extra Episode Guide'', 28 December 2018</ref>
Whitfield played [[Miss Marple]] in 12 [[BBC Radio 4]] adaptations of novels by [[Agatha Christie]]. She reprised the role in 2015, starring in three adaptations of Miss Marple short stories (Tape-Measure Murder, The Case of the Perfect Maid, and Sanctuary).<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03p87br/episodes/guide BBC Radio 4 Extra Episode Guide: Miss Marple] ''BBC Radio 4 Extra Episode Guide'', 28 December 2018</ref>


=== Other ===
=== Other ===
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| ''[[Six of the Best]]''
| ''[[Six of the Best]]''
| Daffodil{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}
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| 1972
| 1972
| ''[[Tarbuck's Luck]]''{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}}
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| 1979
| 1979
| ''[[Cannon and Ball]]''
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| The Manageress{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
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* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{url|https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25119436 | June Whitfield Obituary BBC}}
* {{url|https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25119436 | June Whitfield Obituary BBC}}
{{Portalbar|Biography|Comedy|Film|Television|United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitfield, June}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitfield, June}}

Latest revision as of 23:08, 12 February 2023

Dame
June Whitfield
DBE
June Whitfield.webp
Born
June Rosemary Whitfield

(1925-11-11)11 November 1925
Streatham, London, England
Died29 December 2018(2018-12-29) (aged 93)
London, England
Resting placeAll Hallows Church, Tillington, England
OccupationActress
Years active1944–2016
Known for
Spouse
Tim Aitchison
​
​
(m. 1955; died 2001)​
ChildrenSuzy Aitchison

Dame June Rosemary Whitfield DBE (11 November 1925 – 29 December 2018)[a] was an English radio, television, and film actress.

Her big break was a lead in the radio comedy Take It from Here, which aired on the BBC Light Programme in 1953. Television roles soon followed, including appearances with Tony Hancock throughout his television career. In 1966, Whitfield played the leading role in the television sitcom Beggar My Neighbour, which ran for three series. She also appeared in four Carry On films: Carry On Nurse (1959), Carry On Abroad (1972), Carry On Girls (1973), and Carry On Columbus (1992).

In 1968, Whitfield and Terry Scott began a long television partnership, which peaked with roles as husband and wife in Happy Ever After (1974–1979) and Terry and June (1979–1987). From 1992 to 2012, Whitfield played Edina Monsoon's mother in Jennifer Saunders' Absolutely Fabulous. She played a regular character in Last of the Summer Wine (2005–2010) and a recurring character in The Green Green Grass (2007–2009).

From 1993 to 2001, Whitfield played Miss Marple in the radio dramatisation of all twelve of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple novels on BBC Radio 4.[2]

Early life

June Rosemary Whitfield was born at 44 Mount Ephraim Lane in Streatham, London, in 1925, to John Herbert Whitfield and his wife Bertha Georgina née Flett.[3][4] Her father was the managing director of a company called Dictograph Telephones that had been founded by his father in Yorkshire, and both of her parents were keen amateur actors.[5] She made her first stage appearance, aged three, after her mother enrolled her at Robinson's Dance Studio.[6] Whitfield attended Streatham Hill High School, before being evacuated during the Second World War to Bognor Regis, where she attended St Michael's School, and then to Penzance in Cornwall. She moved with her parents to Huddersfield, where she learned shorthand and typing. She continued to study secretarial skills at Pitman's College, Brixton Hill.[7] In 1944, Whitfield graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art with a diploma.[3]

Career

Early career

Whitfield began her career in the 1940s working with Wilfred Pickles, and worked on stage in the West End and the regions.

In 1951, she had her first credited television role in The Passing Show and joined the London cast of the musical South Pacific.

Her big break came in 1953 when she replaced Joy Nichols in the successful Frank Muir and Denis Norden radio comedy Take It from Here, co-starring Jimmy Edwards and Dick Bentley. In the portion of the show known as "The Glums" she played Eth, fiancée of the dim Ron Glum (played by Bentley).[3] During the next fifteen years Whitfield had many supporting roles on television, including in Dixon of Dock Green, Arthur's Treasured Volumes, The Arthur Askey Show, Faces of Jim, The Benny Hill Show, Steptoe and Son and Frankie Howerd. She played the nurse in the opening scene of "The Blood Donor" (Hancock, 1961). June's daughter Suzy Aitchison would play the same role in the 2009 re-recording with Paul Merton portraying Tony Hancock.

In 1959, she appeared in Carry On Nurse, the first of her four appearances in the Carry On film series.[3]

1960s to 1980s

Whitfield gained her first starring role in the sitcom Beggar My Neighbour (1966),[3] playing Rose Garvey. The year after Beggar My Neighbour finished in 1968, she appeared on Scott On... for six years until 1974.[8] This started a working relationship with Terry Scott that lasted until 1987. During Scott On... she also appeared in The Best Things in Life, The Goodies, The Dick Emery Show, Bless This House and The Pallisers. She appeared in the spin-off film of Bless This House (1972), with Scott as her husband, and Carry On Abroad (also 1972), followed by an appearance in Carry On Girls (1973).[3]

Whitfield starred alongside Scott in a Comedy Playhouse sitcom pilot called Happy Ever After (1974). A few months later the first full series was broadcast, with a further four series until 1979. Later that year, they appeared together in the first series of Terry and June. The two sitcoms were very similar, the only main differences being a change of surname (from Fletcher to Medford), and a different house and family.[9] Both had Scott and Whitfield as a suburban middle-class married couple. Terry and June ran for 65 episodes until 1987. Five years later, in 1992, Julian Clary created Terry and Julian, a Channel 4 sitcom which spoofed the title of Terry and June; Whitfield made an appearance in one episode.[10] During the eight-year run of Terry and June, Whitfield also appeared in It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Minder.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Whitfield appeared in a series of television advertisements, created for Birds Eye by advertising art director Vernon Howe, and featuring the concluding voice-over line: "it can make a dishonest woman of you!"[11]

In 1971, Whitfield and Frankie Howerd recorded a novelty comic version of the song "Je t'aime", previously recorded by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, in which she featured as "Mavis".

She was the subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions: in April 1976, when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at her home in Wimbledon; and in March 1995, when Michael Aspel surprised her at BBC Television Centre.

During the 1980s, Whitfield returned to radio comedy. From 1984, she could be heard with Roy Hudd on the satire programme The News Huddlines,[3] which finished in 2001. On it she often used impersonations and was known for her impression of the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.[3] During the 1980s and 1990s, she made several stage appearances, including in a revival of An Ideal Husband and the pantomime Babes in the Wood.[3] In 1985, she sang a duet with Ian Charleson of the Irving Berlin song "You're Just in Love" in A Royal Night of One Hundred Stars.

1990s to 2010s

Having appeared in an episode of French and Saunders in 1988, Whitfield played Mother in Jennifer Saunders' sitcom Absolutely Fabulous from 1992 until 2012. In 2000, she featured with the rest of the Absolutely Fabulous cast in the pilot Mirrorball. From 1993 to 2001, she played Miss Marple in 12 radio adaptations of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books.[10] From 1990, she appeared in films including Carry On Columbus (1992), Jude (1996) and Faeries (1999, as the voice of Mrs Coombs). In 1998, Whitfield played the housekeeper in the London-set episode of Friends "The One with Ross's Wedding, Part Two"[12] and voiced a character in an episode of the animated comedy series Rex the Runt.

Her autobiography And June Whitfield, written with the help of Christopher Douglas, appeared in 2000.[13] She appeared in The Royal, followed by appearances in Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie's Marple, New Tricks and Last of the Summer Wine, which she joined in 2005. She had an episode of The South Bank Show devoted to her on 29 July 2007 and, in the same year, appeared in the English National Opera's production of On the Town in London's West End. In November 2007, she appeared in the Only Fools and Horses spin-off The Green Green Grass as the mother of Marlene,[14] and in 2008 she appeared in an episode of ITV medical drama Harley Street. In 2009, she made a guest appearance in Kingdom and published an updated autobiography, At a Glance ... An Absolutely Fabulous Life, a collection of scrapbook pictures from her life and career.[5]

Whitfield appeared in the Doctor Who two-part episode, "The End of Time", that aired over Christmas 2009 – New Year 2010.[15] On 29 December 2009, she was the subject of an entire evening's tribute programming on BBC Two.[16]

In 2010, Whitfield was signed for a short appearance on ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Her character, May, appeared at the funeral of Blanche Hunt and explained to Blanche's daughter, Deirdre, how her mother had died.[17] In 2011, she played Margaret Rutherford in the BBC Radio 4 play A Monstrous Vitality, a radio adaption by Andy Merriman of his biography of Rutherford, A Dreadnought with Good Manners.[18] She reprised her role of Mother in two episodes of Absolutely Fabulous at Christmas 2011 – New Year 2012, and for an Olympic special on 23 July 2012.[19] In 2013, Whitfield became the inaugural recipient of the Aardman Slapstick Comedy Legend Award,[20] a recognition of her lifetime's contribution to the world of comedy. In 2014, she made a second appearance in Midsomer Murders, and appeared in Jonathan Creek and Boomers. In 2015, she played Granny Wallon in a BBC One adaptation of Laurie Lee's classic novel Cider with Rosie.

In May 2015, Whitfield made a guest appearance in the BBC soap EastEnders as a nun called Sister Ruth[21] and returned to the show in January 2016 to complete a storyline.[22] In October 2015, it was confirmed that she would reprise her role of Mother in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie which was released in July 2016.[23] She made a guest appearance as God in the Sky 1 series You, Me and the Apocalypse, which was broadcast in November 2015.[24]

Honours and awards

In 1982, Whitfield was made a Freeman of the City of London.[3]

Whitfield was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1985 Birthday Honours,[6] Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1998 Birthday Honours,[12] and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to drama and entertainment.[25]

In 1994, Whitfield was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Comedy Awards.[3]

Personal life and death

In 1955, she married Timothy John Aitchison, who was working as a surveyor. The couple had a daughter, Suzy Aitchison (born 4 June 1960), who became an actress.[3][5] Timothy Aitchison died in 2001.[10]

Despite her success, Whitfield never wanted a lead role, stating that she lacked the drive and confidence. She attributed the premature deaths of several comedians to "the responsibility, the stress and strain" of carrying their shows. In her autobiography, she described her own life as "full of love, affection and laughter, of gigs, gags and a couple of gongs".[26]

In December 2017, Whitfield said that she was living in a care home.[27] She died in London on 29 December 2018, aged 93.[1][28][29] Her funeral was held at All Hallows Church in Tillington, near Petworth in West Sussex, on 18 January 2019, attended by many of her co-stars and personal friends.[1]

Fellow Absolutely Fabulous actress Jennifer Saunders paid tribute to the "extraordinary grace" of Whitfield and said she would "hugely" miss her "dear friend". Julia Sawalha described her as a "great source of inspiration". Actress Jane Horrocks said her former co-star was a "wonderful lady", who was "versatile, funny and generous".[30]

Radio

Miss Marple

Whitfield played Miss Marple in 12 BBC Radio 4 adaptations of novels by Agatha Christie. She reprised the role in 2015, starring in three adaptations of Miss Marple short stories (Tape-Measure Murder, The Case of the Perfect Maid, and Sanctuary).[31]

Other

  • Bring on the Girls (1955)[32]
  • Starstruck (1955)[33]
  • Take It from Here (1955)[34]
  • Midweek Theatre (1967)[35]
  • Happy Ever After (1976)[36]
  • It Doesn't Have to Hurt! (1990)[37]
  • Like They've Never Been Gone (2001)[38]
  • The Afternoon Play: Seven Floors (2003)[39]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1953 Love from Judy Sally McBride[40] TV movie
1956 The Straker Special tomboy mechanic[12] TV movie
1957 Friday the 13th[41] TV movie
1959 Carry On Nurse Meg[42]
Friends and Neighbours Doris Holmes[43]
1966 The Spy with a Cold Nose Elsie Farquhar[44]
1968 Frankie Howerd Meets the Bee Gees[45] TV movie
1971 Do Me a Favour! Mrs Dolly Hadleigh[46] TV movie
The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins Mildred[46] Comedy montage
1972 Bless This House Vera Baines[46] Spin-off from TV sitcom Bless This House
Carry On Abroad Evelyn Blunt[46]
1973 Carry On Girls Augusta Prodworthy / Paula Perkins (voice)[46]
1974 Romance with a Double Bass Prince Bibulov's Wife[47] Comedy short
1976 Not Now, Comrade Janet Rimmington[46]
1979 The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Mrs Beaver[48]
1984 It's Going to Be Alright Margie Hansen[46] TV movie
1985 Rupert and the Frog Song Rupert's Mother (voice)[49] Animation
1987 It's a Hudd Hudd World[50] TV movie
1991 The Craig Ferguson Story Mrs Ferguson[51] TV movie
1992 Carry On Columbus Queen Isabella[52]
1996 Jude Aunt Drusilla[26][53]
1999 Faeries Mrs Coombs (voice)[54] Animation
2000 The Last of the Blonde Bombshells Annie[55] TV movie
2012 Run for Your Wife Lady in gym class[56]
2015 Cider with Rosie Granny Wallon[57] TV movie
2016 Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Mother[58]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1951 The Passing Show[59] chorus member[12] 1 episode: 1900–1910: The Years of Plenty, aired 16 April 1951
1954–1955 Fast and Loose various characters[60] 5 episodes
1955–1958 Before Your Very Eyes various characters[61] 6 episodes
1956 The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d[12] various characters 1 episode
1956–1957 The Tony Hancock Show[12][62] various characters 11 episodes
1957 Hancock's Half Hour Miss Dubois[63] episode: The Alpine Holiday
Yes, It's the Cathode-Ray Tube Show! various characters (voice)[64]
1958 Dixon of Dock Green[42] Marie 1 episode: The Key of the Nick
My Pal Bob[65] 1 episode (#2.6)
On with the Show[12]
1958–1959 Whack-O! Edwina / Mrs Van Stuyvesant[66] 2 episodes: #3.1 and #4.5
1959 It's Saturday Night[67] 1 episode (#1.3)
1960 Arthur's Treasured Volumes Enid Brown[59] 1 episode: A Blow in Anger
1961 Hancock Nurse[58] episode: The Blood Donor[42]
Hancock Veronica Stillwell[68] episode: The Succession: Son and Heir[42]
The Arthur Askey Show Emily Pilbeam[45] 6 episodes
1961–1963 The Seven Faces of Jim[12] various characters, inc. Nettie Winbourne, Prue Abernathy, and Hannah Pengallon 7 episodes
1961–1968 The Benny Hill Show various characters[65] 4 episodes (#4.3, Knicker's World, #8.2, #8.4)
1962 Christmas Night with the Stars Eth[69] with Jimmy Edwards, episode aired 25 December 1962
Six More Faces of Jim Eth[58] 6 episodes
The Rag Trade Miss Rawlins[70]
Comedy Playhouse Sandra Baxter[71] (series 1) The Telephone Call
1963 More Faces of Jim various characters[58]
1964 A Child's Guide to Screenwriting various characters (voice)[72]
Baxter On... various characters[46]
How to be an Alien (voice)[46]
The Big Noise Dorothy Tozer[46]
Steptoe and Son Madge[73]
1965 Call It What You Like various characters[46]
Six of the Best Daffodil
1966 Frankie Howerd Beryl Cuttlebunt[45]
Mild and Bitter various characters[46]
1967 Christmas Night with the Stars Rose Garvey[74] episode aired 25 December 1967
1967–1968 Beggar My Neighbour[12] Rose Garvey
1968 Father, Dear Father Mrs Parsons[46]
Never a Cross Word[75]
1968–1974 Scott On... various characters[46]
1969 According to Dora various characters[76]
Armchair Theatre Angela[77] What's a Mother For?
The Fossett Saga Millie Goswick[58]
The Jimmy Logan Show[78]
The Undertakers Housewife[79] Comedy short
1969–1970 The Best Things in Life Mabel Pollard[46]
1969–1974 The Dick Emery Show various characters[65]
1971 The Goodies Penelope Fay[80]
1972 Tarbuck's Luck
1973 Bless This House Odette[46]
Whoops Baghdad Charisma[46]
1974 The Morecambe and Wise Show[59] Muriel
The Pallisers Mrs Bonteen[81]
1974–1979 Happy Ever After June Fletcher[46]
1977 The Dick Emery Show Jacqueline Clayton[65] The Texas Connection
1979 Cannon and Ball The Manageress
1979–1987 Terry and June June Medford[46]
1980 Bernie[82]
It Ain't Half Hot Mum Captain Georgina Tollemache[46]
The Dick Emery Christmas Show Colette[83] For Whom the Jingle Bells Toll
1981 Mike Yarwood In Persons[65]
1984 Minder Mrs Murdoch[65]
Sharing Time April[84]
1990 Cluedo Mrs Blance White[85]
1992 The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends Mrs Rabbit (voice)[86]
Terry and Julian Mrs Wilson[87]
1992–2012 Absolutely Fabulous Mother[58]
1997 All Rise for Julian Clary Auntie Jane[88]
Brambly Hedge Mrs Apple[89]
Common As Muck Irene[90]
Family Money Ivy[91]
Wyrd Sisters Nanny Ogg (voice)[85]
The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling (Part 2) Mrs Whitfield[92]
1998 Friends The Housekeeper[93]
Rex the Runt Judge Pikelet[46]
1999 Days Like These Grandma[85][failed verification]
2000 Mirrorball Dora Vermouth[94]
The Secret Mrs Birkstead Catherine Cookson mini series
2001–2010 Last of the Summer Wine Nelly / Delphi[95]
2005 Midsomer Murders Peggy Alder[96] Midsomer Raspsody
The Royal Esme[97]
2005–2007 Bob the Builder Dot[98]
2006 Agatha Christie's Marple Mrs Lancaster[96]
2007 New Tricks Pru Sanders[99]
2007–2009 The Green Green Grass Dora[99]
2008 Harley Street Betty[99]
2009 Kingdom Mrs Earnshaw[100]
2009–2010 "Doctor Who: The End of Time" Minnie Hooper[101]
2010 Coronation Street May Penn[102]
2011 M.I. High Beryl Bagshot[96]
2014 Jonathan Creek Heidi Greeley / Laurel Greeley[103]
Midsomer Murders Molly Darnley[101] The Flying Club
Topsy and Tim Mrs Higley-Pigley[104]
2014–2016 Boomers Joan[105]
2015 You, Me and the Apocalypse God[106]
2015–2016 EastEnders Sister Ruth[107]

Books

  • Whitfield, June (2000). ... and June Whitfield. Corgi Books. ISBN 0-593-04582-3. – (autobiography, with Christopher Douglas)[13]

Notes

  1. ^ The date of death has been consistently reported by the press as Friday 28 December 2018. However, the order of service for the funeral (pictured in the BBC source)[1] clearly shows the dates "11th November 1925 – 29th December 2018", so it is understood that Whitfield died in the early hours of Saturday 29 December 2018.

References

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  2. ^ "Miss Marple on BBC Radio, June Whitfield". Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 21 July 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Whitfield, June – British Comedy Actor". The Museum of Broadcast Communications. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2007.
  4. ^ "Find a will | GOV.UK".
  5. ^ a b c Whitfield, June (17 September 2009). June Whitfield At a Glance – An Absolutely Fabulous Life. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 978-0297855620.
  6. ^ a b "Glorious June". Daily Express. 28 July 2007.
  7. ^ Whitfield, June (2000). ...and June Whitfield The autobiography. Corgi Books. ISBN 0-552-14767-2.
  8. ^ "BBC Comedy Guide". BBC. 2003. Archived from the original on 24 May 2006.
  9. ^ Lewisohn, Mark (2003). "Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy". BBC Worldwide Ltd.
  10. ^ a b c "June Whitfield". Comedy Zone. 1999–2006. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
  11. ^ "Obituary: Vernon Howe". The Independent. 5 December 2003. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Whitfield, June (1925–)". Screen Online. June 2003.
  13. ^ a b Maxwell, Dominic (11 December 2006). "Re-opening the grouse season". The Times.
  14. ^ "Episode Dated 7 November 2007". The Paul O'Grady Show. 7 November 2007. Channel 4. Channel 4.
  15. ^ "BBC - Press Office - June Whitfield in Doctor Who: The End Of Time". www.bbc.co.uk.
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  17. ^ "June to drop in on Weatherfield". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011.
  18. ^ "A Monstrous Vitality reviewed" 30 May 2010, BBC Radio 4 web site
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External links

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