June Spencer, longtime star of The Archers, dies at 105

June Spencer, who was a beloved figure in the BBC radio series The Archers for many years, has passed away at the age of 105.

According to a statement, she passed away quietly in her sleep during the early hours of Friday. “Her family wishes to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Liberham Lodge, who provided her with such loving care over the past two years,” it noted.

Spencer was an original member of the show's cast, appearing in the pilot episodes in 1950 where she took on several roles, including Rita Flynn, an Irish baker's assistant, a Scottish maid, and Peggy Woolley, a character she truly made her own. The series became so popular that she quickly rose to fame and became a recognized name in many homes.

“In 2012, she shared with the BBC, ‘As stars of The Archers, we were constantly in demand for various events. It was rare for us to have a weekend free. I remember once being flown to Cornwall in an old Dakota aircraft that had only been slightly modified for civilian travel. When we arrived, it turned out to be a massive event organized by the Women’s Institutes. The show was so popular that I was completely overwhelmed by the crowd. People surged forward, and the organizers had to shout, ‘Stay back! Do you want to hurt her?’ It was really quite alarming.’”

In the mid-1950s, Spencer departed from the show, and Thelma Rogers stepped in as Peggy. She reprised her role in the 1960s, during which her character became the owner of the Bull pub. This led to some unexpected chaos, as her pub was the site of a riot, and she found herself facing charges for disturbing the peace.

One of Spencer's most well-known story arcs centered around the character Peggy’s husband, Jack Woolley, who passed away due to Alzheimer's disease. Spencer wrote this storyline following the death of her own husband, Roger, who succumbed to the same illness and had been looked after by her during his battle with it.

In 2021, The Archers marked its 70th anniversary with a special celebration, featuring Spencer alongside Camilla, who was then the Duchess of Cornwall, as they sliced into a tractor-shaped cake inspired by the show. Spencer officially stepped away from the series in August 2022 at the age of 103. By then, she had opted to record her parts in a special studio constructed by the show's producers at her residence in Surrey, avoiding the need to travel to Birmingham, where the series is produced.

In 1991, Spencer was honored with an OBE, and in 2017, she received a CBE. Additionally, she was granted the freedom of the City of London in 2010.