June Spencer

June Spencer CBE

Validated

June Rosalind Brocksom CBE (née Spencer; 14 June 1919 – 8 November 2024) was an English actress and centenarian. With a career spanning nearly eight decades, she was best known as the voice of Peggy Woolley in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers.

Early life

June Rosalind Spencer was born at 30 Bingham Road in Sherwood, Nottingham, England on 14 June 1919, as the only child to William Spencer (1890–1979), a commercial traveller for Crawford's Biscuits, and his wife, Rosalind Mary (née Thorne; 1889–1984), a former nurse. She was baptised at St. John the Evangelist in Carrington, Nottinghamshire on 3 August 1919. She lived in the home she was born at for the first seven years of her life.

Spencer attended Mountford House Preparatory School from 1924 to 1929. She studied part-time at Stockwin Music College from 1931. She graduated from Nottingham High School for Girls in 1934, at the age of 15, after being told: "Of course you know you can't expect to get anywhere without your School Certificate", by Miss Philips, the headmistress. She was a member of the Brownies. She joined the St Mary's Amateur Dramatic Society in the Lace Market in 1942. where her drama teacher at the time was the producer. She later gained her London Guildhall School of Music and Drama certificate in drama.

Spencer came second in a baby beauty competition while on holiday in Rhyl, Wales before she was two-years-old. She made her stage debut at the age of three, during a school performance of King of the Land of Nod. She took piano lessons for 11 years, starting at the age of five. She later passed the Associated Board's Advanced Level. She wrote and produced plays in her back garden to raise money for charity from the age of 12. Her charity of choice was always Dr. Barnardo's.

Spencer was taught to drive by her father at the age of 12, while she was underage and uninsured. He also taught her to drive through water. Her lessons came to an abrupt stop when her father discovered that one of his friends had been reprimanded for teaching his schoolboy son. She passed her official driving test the second time, having failed the first time for speeding.

Spencer had various boyfriends in her youth and often "played the field". She would make her parents answer the telephone, stating: "If it's Stuart or Bob, I'm in. If it's anyone else, I'm out." At a summer party, "including all my boyfriends", she met her future husband.

Career

1935–1942: Early career

Spencer began her career as a model, modelling teenage clothes in fashion shows for two local stores, earning "a few guineas". She also worked as a junior governess at a small private school, earning £40 per annum. She held a lecture on the importance of speech at Nottingham Technical College, where her father lectured on salesmanship. She later lectured for two terms at Mansfield Technical College, where her father had also lectured.

Spencer applied for auditions at the BBC's Midland region during the late summer of 1939, passing both her auditions for drama and review. World War II was declared shortly after and Midland region entertainment programmes closed. Her first paid work was performing monologues at Freemasons' dinners in 1938. Her earlier monologues were published in a book by Samuel French, which was later used to train students at RADA. She was unaware of the books existence until much later in her career. Her war work included working at Nottingham City Treasurers Office. She also worked as a part-time elocution teacher.

1943–1949: Debut and early roles

Spencer reapplied four years later, passing both her auditions again. She made her first broadcast in November 1943, when she was cast as a 12-year-old child in a 15-minute programme, Railways in Wartime.

Spencer participated in the 1943 radio programme, Home Town, where the wives of soldiers overseas could record a message to their husbands. Her husband was stationed in India at the time so she sent him a cryptic cable to give him the time and station. He successfully tuned in and heard his wife's message to him.

Spencer was contracted to complete a season in weekly repertory theatre, with two shows a day for three guineas a week, as a reward for her debut performance. The arrangement broke down when she demanded a pay rise for taking the title role in a Christmas production of Alice in Wonderland, with her boss suggesting that she should be grateful to have war work. She immediately quit, telling her boss: "I had rather fill shells than work for you, Mr Wright! You'll have my notice on Friday." Her first line on the professional stage was "What's your Will?" from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Spencer worked the telephone switchboards as a "Hello Girl", while volunteering with the Voluntery Entertainment company to perform in morale-raising shows for the forces in her spare time.

1950–1999: Breakthrough with The Archers and other work

Spencer joined the cast of the BBC Home Service radio soap opera The Archers for the pilot episode on 29 May 1950, as the voice of Margaret "Peggy" Perkins (born 13 November 1924). Peggy was introduced as Jack Archer's "Londoner" wife at a New Year's party held at the Archers' home in the first episode broadcast on 1 January 1951. She left the serial in 1953 to raise her two children and the role of Peggy was recast to Thelma Rogers. She returned as Peggy in 1962. Her character authored Peggy Archer's Book of Recipes, a 64-page cookbook which was published by BBC Books in 1968. She voiced other characters including a Scottish maid and an Irish baker's assistant called Rita Flynn. She once played two of her characters in a single scene. She voiced Tony, as a child. She also voiced Mrs Spenlowe on nine episodes between 1969 and 1973, billed under her married name.

Spencer found out about her cast during the spring of 1950, when she was rehearsing a radio play in the Birmingham Studios and another actress posed the question: "You're going to be in The Archers, aren't you?", she replied: "Am I? What are The Archers?". She did not have to audition for the role of Peggy as she was already contracted to the BBC to star in a string of other radio plays, stating: "My work was well-known". She was originally paid £12 for five episodes, as an experienced actress, while others were paid between £8 and £10. The original cast were put on 13-week contracts. She had publicly criticised the creator, Godfrey Baseley, as being a "very abrupt man" who could be "very dictatorial" and "thought he was God", adding: "I can't say he was greatly loved" and "He wasn't very popular but he knew what he was doing when he invented The Archers." Baseley had once threatened to sack her after she decided to not attend his party. She later recalled "barely having a free weekend" due to the demand of public appearances to promote the serial, stating: "I can't say remember on one occasion being flown down to Cornwall in a rather ancient plane which had been very loosely adapted for civilian use. When we got there, there was a very large gathering of the Women's Institute for women all over Cornwall. Such was the popularity of the programme, I was literally mobbed." She also said: "When The Archers started, there were only seven of us in that pilot episode. In the very first few weeks, those of us who could were doubling parts and my other major part was as the Irish Rita Flynn and she had a very different voice." She said Peggy's voice was "very light and high in those days" while Rita's was "much darker and lower".

Spencer was approached to join the BBC's Repertory Company but was forced to decline as it was not possible to accommodate rep and The Archers at the same time.

Spencer made her television debut in 1956, as Joan Purdy in an episode of the BBC panel game show, Guilty Party, written by Edward J. Mason and Tony Shryane.

Spencer made several appearances on the BBC Television religious programme Songs of Praise between 1961 and 2010. Some of her episodes were filmed with The Archers, in Menorca and at the churchyard in her back garden.

Spencer wrote a number of the "Odd Odes" which were performed by Cyril Fletcher in the BBC One satirical consumer affairs programme That's Life! between 1973 and 1981. Her monologues were later published in a book, Odes and Oddities, which was published by Reynolds & Co. Ltd.

Spencer wrote scrips, three of which were produced by Edward Livesey; Man the Hunter, The Vanities of Man and The Rivalry of Man.

2000–2021: Later work

Spencer recorded episodes of The Archers at the Queen Mother's birthday pageant in the Horse Guards Parade in 2000 and at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2003, where she received the Ambridge Rose. She admitted that she did not see herself portraying the role of Peggy as a long-term acting job, in many interviews given around the show's 60th anniversary in 2010. She had criticised the pay in 2011. She had urged for credits at the end of each episode in 2018. Peggy was revealed to be the mystery cast member in Lynda Snell's production of The Canterbury Tales, at the end of 2018. Peggy played a magician. Her co-stars called for her to be made a Dame in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, aged 101 and particularly susceptible to the virus. Production was scrapped and the cast recorded episodes remotely from their homes until the end of 2020. She cut an Archers-themed cake with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall during a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the show's 70th anniversary in 2021.

Spencer had been approached by producers for The Archers in the early 2000s about shining a light on Alzheimer's disease by having her on-air husband, Jack Woolley, showing the symptoms and eventually being diagnosed. She said it was the best storyline she had worked on, stating: "When they were thinking of doing the Alzheimer's story, I was asked how I would feel, because my husband had Alzheimer's, and I said, 'I'm all in favour of it, let's bring it out into the open, it needs to be done.' It was a rare moment when an actor could influence a storyline. I was called to a script conference, which was unprecedented. The writers and directors sat around the big table and asked me to talk about it – what was it like, when did you first discover it. So I just talked. When I finished, they gave me a round of applause. Prof Simon Lovestone (a specialist in the condition at King's College London) wrote that it was the truest depiction of Alzheimer's he had ever come across." The Archers won the Mental Health BAFTA for Jack and Peggy's Alzheimer's story at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards in 2007. She collected the award with Arnold Peters. She was praised by various Alzheimer's charities.

Spencer portrayed Marian Hennessy in the BBC One medical soap opera Doctors in 2000. She initially turned down the role as she did not want to have to learn lines but agreed when she was told: "The character has had a stroke and can't speak." In the episode, her character was failed to be kissed by Christopher Timothy.

Spencer was the casting on an episode of the BBC Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs in 2010. Her chosen music included the Hallelujah Chorus and Fred Astaire's Cheek to Cheek, with her favourite being John Williams playing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, her chosen book was Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome, and her luxury a Scrabble board.

Spencer wrote her autobiography, The Road to Ambridge: My Life, Peggy and The Archers, which was published by JR Books Ltd in 2010.

Spencer later became aware that a copy of June Spencer's Monologues in Australia was offered £30 on eBay, which was more than the original publishers paid.

Spencer was awarded the lifetime achievement award for 63 years of service at the BBC Audio Drama Awards in 2014.

Spencer said one of her goals were to celebrate her 100th birthday while still performing, a feat which she achieved in 2019. Her first interview to mark the milestone was given to Martha Kearney on the BBC Radio 4 programme Today. She said: "I want to continue for as long as I can turn in a decent performance — I wouldn't want to go downhill. But I'd like to turn 100 and still be in The Archers. I'm afraid I can't wait to retire until Peggy's 100 because she's five years younger than me."

2022: Retirement and final work

Spencer made her departure from The Archers in the episode broadcast on 31 July 2022, after 63 years in the role of Peggy Woolley. Her final episode was aired during the omnibus edition on 7 August 2022. In the episode broadcast on 8 August 2024, her character's son and daughter-in-law reflected on Peggy's life and agreed that Peggy was "an extraordinary woman." She appeared on over 19,343 episodes. She was the sole survivor from the original cast. She drove herself to and from her home in Surrey and the BBC Birmingham recording studio on each recording day until her mid-90s, when she was granted a company vehicle. She said: "I have degeneration of my spine, which makes me very bent, so it's difficult to stand at the microphone, though the studio manager really looks after me and there's always a chair for me while we're waiting. Sometimes, if Peggy has to stand at the end of a scene, I fake the sound of making the effort to get up." She had a custom studio built inside her bungalow, which she recorded episode from in her later years.

Spencer confirmed her retirement on 8 August 2024, at the age of 103, after 79 years in the industry, stating: "In 1950, I helped to plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted out and called The Archers. 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 'boughed' out, so I have duly lopped her." She was the longest serving radio actress in the United Kingdom and the second longest soap opera actress in the world. She had made previous attempts to retire, stating: "I've been trying to retire for at least a year. They didn't want to lose her character. Every time I tried to stop, they gave me more episodes.

Spencer, speaking with Care UK about her time on The Archers, said: "I have loved being part of The Archers. It always felt like I was a part of something good, where listeners to the programme could relate to the storylines and tak comfort they weren't alone. There are so many storylines I'm proud to have been a part of, especially ones that dealth with important topics such as Alzheimer's. Although my personal favourite is as Jack and Peggy's wedding in 1991 and an episode we broadcast from the horse guards' parade after being invited to record at the Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations." Jeni Rushton, a Regional Director at Care UK, said: "June is a much-loved resident, and we are thrilled to raise a glass to her to celebrate her fantastic career. June's work ethic is an inspiration to us all and her commitment and dedication to remains active and continue pursuing her interests is something we can all learn from. Congratulations on such a fabulous career, June!"

Spencer was the subject of an article written by her former co-star Graham Seed (Nigel Pargetter), which was published by The Guardian on 9 August 2024. The headline read: "I was on The Archers with June Spencer. She didn't have to leave – she is only 103." In the article, Seed commanded her for her "remarkable strength and resilience."

Spencer made her final television appearance, as herself in the BBC documentary, How the BBC Began, broadcast in October 2022.

Personal life

Spencer met Roger Sidney Brocksom (born 9 November 1919), an engineer and later soldier, while on holiday in Chapel-St-Leonards, Lincolnshire in 1936. The couple got engaged with their banns being read in Armagh Cathedral, while he was on leave from serving in Northern Ireland, and were married at St. Martin's Church in Sherwood, Nottingham on 27 May 1942, by Bishop Neville Talbolt. He proposed to her by asking: "How would you feel about being married to a Second Lieutenant?", to which she replied: "I wouldn't mind if it was you." They adopted two children through the Surrey County Council; a son, David Spencer Brocksom (born 21 December 1951), a dancer, in 1953, and a daughter,  Rosalind "Ros", a council worker, two-and-a-half years later. She had an adopted granddaughter, Claire, through her son and his second wife, Deborah Preece. Her husband died from a stroke with complications resulting from Alzheimer's disease on 26 May 2001, the day before the couples 59th wedding anniversary. He was 81. He was buried in the churchyard in her back garden. Her son died from a massive internal haemorrhage with complications from alcoholism in Nüremberg, Germany on 2 November 2006. He was 54. He was cremated in Germany, bought back to England and was buried in their churchyard beside his father. She had sponsored Ploy Pattra (born 2 August 1998), who is from Thailand, through Compassion UK, since 2007. Her sponsored daughter called her 'Granny June'.

Spencer moved to a Care UK care home upon her retirement in August 2022. She lived in a bungalow in Leatherhead, Surrey, which was burgled while she was on holiday shortly after her 90th birthday. Her first marital home was in Worcester Park. She previously lived in Sutton, Cheam, and Esher. She owned a second home, Casa Ruisenor, in Menorca, Spain, which she purchased in 1972.

Spencer had been a patron of Alzheimer's Research UK since 2005. She volunteered for clinical trials in tests for Alzheimer's disease. She had also been involved with the Alzheimer's Society.

Spencer founded a Scrabble club after her husband's death. She continued to drive until the age of 99, however, she did not drive in the dark or on motorways.

Spencer was a Christian. She said: "I'm not, sort of, deeply into religion, but I do have faith."

Longevity

Spencer celebrated her 100th birthday on 14 June 2019, becoming a centenarian. Speaking on her longevity, she said: "If you're born with a sense of humour, that's a good help. An awful lot depends on your outlook on life. You're born either with your glass half full or half empty. But with old age, all sorts of things wear out and you can't get yourself the spares!" She also said: "Obviously one's body deteriorates rapidly – I'm still on my feet, just. But apart from that I have the same outlook on life as I've always had. I'm an optimist. I enjoy life. I enjoy all the beautiful things that are still there for me."

Spencer had calls to be made a Dame in 2019, around the time of her 100th birthday.

Death

Spencer died in Leatherhead, Surrey on 8 November 2024. She was 105 years and 147 days old. Her family released a statement confirming her death later that same day, writing: "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. 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". Her funeral service took place at St. Mary's Church in West Horsley on 28 November 2024, where she was cremated. Her wake took place at The Ockham Suite in Horsley Court later that day.

Tributes

Tributes poured in from many fans across the world, including Queen Camilla, who, in a statement on X, said: "For over 70 years, June Spencer was a much-loved part of so many people's lives, brilliantly combining in Peggy Woolley the roles of reassuring matriarch and "gangsta granny". She will be greatly missed and I send my heartfelt condolences to her family."

Jeremy Howe, the editor of The Archers, said: "Working with June was like working with a legend, and has been one of the great privileges of my time at the BBC. Here was this person, immaculately dressed and sitting bolt upright in the Green Room at BBC Birmingham, script at the ready, all meticulously marked up with little pencil squiggles and dashes like musical notation, who had been in the first ever episode of The Archers back in 1951. June Spencer wasn't just a brilliant Peggy Woolley, the ultimate matriarch of Ambridge, but a brilliant actress. I only ever worked with her in radio, but her technique, her precision, her delivery were flawless. One of the cast once remarked that in all her time in the show he had only ever heard her fluff her lines the once. She was an actress who revelled in her craft, someone who could score a bullseye with a gently insulting cough as if it were a non mot from Oscar Wilde. She was also a great company member – funny, sharp, warm, never gossipy, but with wonderful stories of the early days of radio drama, self deprecating and a great companion. The two things I would never commit to with June were being driven by her at the age of one hundred and one or taking her on at Scrabble. She was a Scrabble demon. June's Peggy Woolley was and always will be the Queen of Ambridge, and with her death The Archers has lost its link to the birth of the show over seventy years ago. It is a humbling moment for us all". Mohit Bakaya, the Controller of BBC Radio 4, said: "June Spencer has been a longstanding presence and companion for Radio 4 listeners during her exceptional run on The Archers. Many have grown up with June as Peggy and listened as she journeyed through life's many chapters, with all of its ups and downs. In her later years, her portrayal of a devoted wife caring for a husband with Dementia, including their very moving final goodbye. was deeply poignant and powerful radio. We send all our love and condolences to June's family and the many people whose lives she touched."

Honours

Spencer was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1991 Birthday Honours, by Queen Elizabeth II, for her services to performing arts. Her husband and their daughter accompanied her to Buckingham Palace to collect her honour.

Spencer was given the Freedom of the City of London in 2010.

Spencer was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Nottingham as a Doctor of Letters for her services to broadcasting in 2012.

Spencer was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours, again by Queen Elizabeth II, from her services to drama and charity.

Spencer was awarded the GDST Exceptional Contribution Award from Nottingham Girls' High School in 2022.