Monday 9 November 2015

June Whitfield at 90: A recap!


Later this week, British comedy legend June Whitfield will celebrate her 90th birthday. It's quite extraordinary to contemplate. On the one hand, June has been so visible to so many generations for decades now that it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that's she's lived such a long life, yet on the other her continued work in the profession and zest for life belie the fact that she's nearly 90.

June first rose to fame as the voice of Ethel Glum in that marvellous radio show, Take It From Here in the 1950s. With a career dating back to the Second World War while she was at drama school, June has pretty much seen it all, done it all and worked with everyone. Terry Scott, Sid James, Tommy Cooper, Stanley Baxter, Frankie Howerd, Arthur Askey, Dick Emery, Morecombe and Wise...the list is endless. 

While her list of contacts in the profession is astounding, we must not forget just how talented June is in her own right. Given that she was touring with Wilfred Pickles over sixty years ago, it's fantastic to think she is still working hard in 2015 with a recent appearance in EastEnders, Cider with Rosie and the upcoming Absolutely Fabulous film to look forward to in 2016.


Over the course of the past month I have been asking you to vote for your favourite out of June's most well remembered performances. I've tried to limit them down to some of her most famous roles. I have also posted companion blogs on each of the roles mentioned in the poll, sharing my favourite memories from June's illustrious career. I hope you have enjoyed them.

Here is a quick recap of the blogs in this series. Each blog has a link to the poll and there's still time to vote!


My blog on Augusta Prodworthy in Carry On Girls can be found here

My thoughts on June's role as Rose Garvey in Beggar My Neighbour can be found here

June's roles in The Blood Donor and Take It From Here are featured here

My blog on Evelyn Blunt in Carry On Abroad can be found here

June's most recent role as Sister Ruth in EastEnders is covered here

Perhaps June's most famous performance, in Terry and June is previewed here

Finally, the wonderful Mother in Absolutely Fabulous is discussed here




The main poll can be found here .  The results of the poll will be revealed here on the blog on 11 November!

Carry On Voting! 



You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan

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