June Whitfield has Died Aged 93

Which is why I didn't post anything until 'Official' confirmation had came out as none of the media were reporting it at the time when that tweet from Jon Plowman came out.

Not just TV, she was well known for her radio work on The News Huddlines, particularly for her caricature pseudo-impressions (they were intended as characters rather then accurate impersonations) of the likes of the Queen Mother and Thatcher

I'd forgotten about News Huddlines, it was one of the longest running radio comedy shows but often overlooked as it was on 2 not 4.

I remember it was something my grandparents listened to, but which I couldn't stand

She was a great actress and very versatile. I loved Radio 2's "The News Huddlines" with Roy Hudd, Chris Emmett and June Whitfield. She did a spoof Miss Marple in the style of Margaret Rutherford then, ironically, went on to play Miss Marple in Radio 4's excellent dramatisation, which was as superb as Joan Hickson's portrayal on television. I've also got audio cassettes of her reading the genteel Miss Read stories. Almost an end of an era as there's probably just Nicholas [Duracell] Parsons left from the 1950s/60s, who keeps going.

"They don't put fingers in these rubber gloves any more, dear".

Barry Cryer is still very much with us, I’d place him as part of that group too ?

Leslie Phillips is also still around.
Very sorry to hear that June has gone, what a long career she had!

Yes ! I’d forgotten about Leslie Philips too. I was randomly channel hopping on Christmas Night and we stumbled upon a ‘Carry On’ film. Mrs Markymark spotted June, and exclaimed, ‘June Whitfield, she’s still going you know’

In terms of who he worked with, but he's a different generation to Whitfield, Norden, Philips and Parsons. Also like Norden he's primarily a writer rather than a performer.


It'll be an odd day when he goes as there will be no-one left to appear as a talking head in obit packages.

In view of June Whitfield's sad passing last night, BBC Scotland might need to consider giving the movie a more prominent slot ?

Where? unless there move to Thursday and then it's too late.

The only other slots BBC Scotland could realistically show it in over the next few days would be 10:30pm this evening on BBC 2, 7:30pm on New Year's Eve on BBC 2, or 11pm on New Year's Day on BBC 1 or 2, as a replacement for other films currently scheduled.