He got… editorial: A century-old actress leaves a soap opera after playing the same role for 70 years! Photo

August 9, 2022

Robert

She is the second longest-serving soap opera actress worldwide in any medium.

Centenary actress got… a pension after playing the same role for a lifetime. The reason for the English actress June Rosalind Spencer, known for her role as Peggy Wooley in the BBC Radio 4 soap opera “The Archers”who is retiring after more than 70 years in that role, at the age of 103.

It started in 1950 (pilot) until 1954 and from 1961 until 2022. She is the second longest-running soap opera actress worldwide in any medium.

Her last appearance was a few days ago when she was discussing an order for a stained glass window with her two great-grandchildren.

In a statement, Spencer said it was “time” to retire. She reportedly recorded the latest new episodes from a special studio at her home in Surrey.

Actress June Spencer, who has played Peggy Woolley on The Archers for more than seventy years, has retired at the age of 103.

Shortly before her 100th birthday, she said @MarthaKearney that she hoped she would inspire other people working in their later years.#R4Today pic.twitter.com/1qWu3n6jXv

— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) August 8, 2022

“In 1950 I helped plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted and named ‘The Archers,’” Spencer said. “Over the years it thrived and became a great big tree with many branches. But now the old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe, so I decided it was time to ‘uproot’ it and cut it off.”

Among the actress’ many fans is the Duchess of Cornwall, who last year invited her and her co-stars to Clarence House for the show’s 70th anniversary. He described her as a “real national treasure”.

Spencer has been awarded the Star of the Order of the British Empire, and in June 2010 she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London award.