June Spencer
June Spencer OBE | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation(s) | Actress, Radio actress |
Years active | 1950–present |
Spouse | Roger (widowed) |
Children | Unknown |
June Spencer OBE (born 14 June 1919) is an English actress best known for her role in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers as Peggy Woolley. She was born in Nottingham, England.
The Archers
After leaving school she joined an amateur dramatic society and gained a London Guildhall School of Music and Drama certificate. She has played the role of Peggy Woolley (née Perkins, formerly Archer) over a period of over 60 years starting with the pilot episode in 1950 and is the only remaining member of the original cast. Two years after the serial started, she left the cast to look after her family, and the role of Peggy was taken over by Thelma Rogers. Spencer later returned to the series playing Rita Flynn, a role she had originally played in tandem with that of Peggy. In 1971, Rogers left The Archers to return to the stage, and Spencer returned to the role of Peggy.[1]
She was the guest on Desert Island Discs on 28 February 2010.[2] Spencer spoke about the long running Archers storyline on her husband's Alzheimer's disease, and about her real life husband Roger who suffered from the disease.[1] She has also appeared on television on Songs of Praise and in the drama Doctors.
Honours
On 12 July 2012 Spencer was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Nottingham as a Doctor of Letters for her services to broadcasting. She was given a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2014 BBC Audio Drama Awards.[3]
References
- ^ a b Sanderson, Elizabeth (27 February 2010). "The actress behind Peggy Archer and how her real family - like the radio show - has been touched by tragedy". Mail Online. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Desert Island Discs: June Spencer". BBC Radio 4. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Hemley, Matthew (26 January 2014). "Archers actor June Spencer presented lifetime achievement prize at audio drama awards". The Stage. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
see also List of longest-serving soap opera actors Template:Persondata