June Spencer
Spencer joined the cast of the BBC Home Service radio soap opera The Archers on 29 May 1950. She was the long-standing voice of Margaret "Peggy" Woolley (née Perkins, formally Archer) for 63 years, from the pilot episode until 1953, and then again from 1962 until her departure on 31 July 2022. She was the sole survivor from the original cast. Spencer did not audition for the role as she was already contracted to the BBC to star in a string of other radio plays. She was originally paid £12 for five episodes - as an experienced actress - while others were paid between £8 and £10. She publicly criticised the creator, Godfrey Baseley, who had once threatened to sack her after she decided to not attend his party. Spencer left the serial in 1953 to raise her two children and the role of Peggy was recast to Thelma Rogers. She also 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. Spencer was credited under her married name of June Brocksom on nine episodes between 28 November 1969 and 9 August 1973, voicing Mrs Spenlowe. She had gained widespread acclaim in the 2000s for her part in a storyline that portrayed the slow submission of Peggy's husband, Jack Woolley, to Alzheimer's disease. She had criticised the shows pay in 2011. Spencer had recorded episodes at the Chelsea Flower Show. She was driven to and from her home on each recording day in her later years. She also voiced Tony, as a child. Spencer and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall cut an Archers-themed cake during a reception at Clarence House to celebrate the show's 70th anniversary on 7 December 2021.