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June Spencer, the actress behind the matriarch Peggy Woolley in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, has died at the age of 105. Spencer was one of the original members of the cast of the show and remained with the programme until her retirement in 2022. Tributes were paid to Spencer by The Archers’ current editor, Jeremy Howe, who said working with her was “like working with a legend”. Howe went on to say, “June’s Peggy Woolley was and always will be the Queen of Ambridge, and with her death The Archers has lost its link with the birth of the show over 70 years ago. It is a humbling moment for us all.”
Spencer’s portrayal of Peggy Woolley, née Archer, was often seen as representative of conservative, traditionalist views in the soap opera following the residents of the fictional village of Ambridge. Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya paid tribute to Spencer, calling her a “longstanding presence and companion for Radio 4 listeners”. Bakaya also reflected on Spencer’s recent performances in the show as a devoted wife caring for a husband with dementia, which were described as deeply poignant and powerful radio.
Spencer was not only celebrated for her role as Peggy Woolley, but also for her talent as an actress. Jeremy Howe spoke of her “technique, precision, and delivery”, noting that he had only heard her “fluff her lines the once”. Spencer’s family thanked the team at Liberham Lodge for their loving care in Spencer’s final years.
In 2021, The Archers celebrated its 70th anniversary and was the subject of a reception at Clarence House, which was attended by Spencer and her co-stars. The present Queen, who is known to be a fan of the show, called Peggy “a true national treasure”. Last year, Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to the series for reaching 20,000 episodes and praised its contributions to the nation’s emotional well-being
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