June Spencer who played Peggy in The Archers dies aged 105

June Spencer, who played matriarch Margaret "Peggy" Woolley on BBC Radio 4 ’s The Archers, has died at the age of 105.

Her family said in a statement, relayed to the BBC this Friday, November 8, 2024: "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."

The statement adds: "Her family would like to pay particular tribute and thanks to the staff team at Liberham Lodge, who so lovingly cared for her in the last two years."

June was the last original cast member of The Archers and decided to bow out of the show in 2022, stating it was "high time" for her to retire. "In 1950 I helped to plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted out and called The Archers", she notably remembered.

"Over the years it has thrived and become a splendid great tree with many branches. But now this old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe so I decided it was high time she 'bowed' out, so I have duly lopped her."

Queen Camilla was among her many fans, some of which have taken to social media, notably Twitter, now X, to pay their respects: "R.I.P. June Spencer ..there will only ever be one Peggy Woolley...The Archers ..sadly missed", one of them wrote.

A second echoed: "A sad day hearing of June Spencer's death at the age of 105. I listened to her for many years on #TheArchers. May the Lord draw near to those mourning their loss", while a third echoed: "Peggy was a great and lovely character! RIP June Spencer!"

Born on June 14, 1919, June Rosalind Spencer hailed from Nottingham and joined an amateur dramatic society after leaving Nottingham Girls' High School, before kicking off her career as Peggy Wooley with the pilot episode of The Archers, in 1950. She made her last appearance in the programme in July, 2022 - but Peggy wasn't the only character she'd portrayed.

In 1953, June decided to leave the show to take care of her family, prompting Thelma Rogers to take her place during her absence. June returned to the programme from 1956 to 1958, but played character Rita Flynn. After one final portrayal as Rita in 1961, June reprised her role as Peggy, while Thelma left The Archers in 1962.

June's acting credits also include appearances on the box, more notably in Songs of Praise and BBC drama Doctors. During her time on The Archers, however, June took part in a long-running storyline focusing on her show husband Jack, portrayed by Arnold Peters, and his struggle with Alzheimers disease - a condition June's real-life husband, Roger Brocksom, succumbed to in 2001. The pair had adopted two children, a son and a daughter named David and Ros.