Getty/BBCDame June Whitfield has died at the age of 93.
Whitfield was a regular fixture on both television and radio for six decades, starring in Carry On films, Hancock’s Half Hour, Last of the Summer Wine, Absolutely Fabulous, and even made an appearance in Friends.
At the age of 92, she was made a dame in the 2017 Birthday Honours for her services to drama and entertainment, in a career which had lasted eight decades.
The actor’s agent said she ‘passed away peacefully last night’ (December 28).
Television producer, Jon Plowman, who worked on Absolutely Fabulous tweeted to say he was ‘very sad’ to hear the news.
He said:
Very sad at the news of the death of the wonderful June Whitfield. There was no-one with more warmth or a better ability to just ‘place’ a line, always an act of utter precision. Hit after hit!
Take it from Here Terry and June Absolutely Fabulous over seven decade. A great loss. [sic]
Very sad at the news of the death of the wonderful June Whitfield . There was no-one with more warmth or a better ability to just "place" a line ,always an act of utter precision. Hit after hit! Take it from Here Terry and June Absolutely Fabulous over seven decade. A great loss
— JON PLOWMAN (@bimpsonbun1) December 29, 2018
Back Together. #JuneWhitfield RIP pic.twitter.com/YRw3AG3nY6
— Si (@LeedsInShetland) December 29, 2018
In 2009 Whitfield appeared in The End of Time, David Tennant’s final Doctor Who episode, but she was probably most well-known for her part in the much loved comedy, Absolutely Fabulous.
She gained a whole new generation of fans as Edina’s mum in the superb shows, which also featured Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley.
Tributes have been coming in online, including one from impressionist Rory Bremner, who called Whitfield the ‘go-to comedy actress for three generations’.
I adored June Whitfield.
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) December 29, 2018
RIP June Whitfield. She was 93 pic.twitter.com/Cm0vm6kiOz
— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) December 29, 2018
David Walliams tweeted an iconic clip of Whitfield in Absolutely Fabulous, along with a heartfelt and fitting tribute.
He wrote:
June Whitfield’s incredible career in British comedy stretched all the way from ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ to ‘Absolutely Fabulous’.
She was always there, always being brilliant. @ferrifrump wrote June one of the funniest lines in television history… [sic]
#JuneWhitfield ‘s incredible career in British comedy stretched all the way from ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ to ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. She was always there, always being brilliant. @ferrifrump wrote June one of the funniest lines in television history… https://t.co/zFeBkCgksY
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) December 29, 2018
Broadcaster Danny Baker said Whitfield was ‘formidable, dependable, inimitable. A rock. A gem’ and her former co-star Joanna Lumley said:
I am heartbroken to lose such a darling friend and shall never forget her sensational talent, humour and her generosity to us all who had the joy of working with her on Ab Fab.
She will always have a most special place in my heart.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Dame June Whitfield.
