June Whitfield dead at 93: Tributes for Absolutely Fabulous star - NEWS.com.au

UK star Joanna Lumley has lead the tributes to Dame June Whitfield after the Absolutely Fabulous actor passed away aged 93.

June’s agent confirmed that Whitfield had died peacefully on Friday night.

Lumley, 72, who starred as Patsy alongside Whitfield in the hit BBC comedy, told ITV News: “I am heartbroken to lose such a darling friend and shall never forget her sensational talent, humour and her generosity to us all who had the joy of working with her on Ab Fab.

“She will always have a most special place in my heart.”

Her Ab Fab co-star Helen Lederer tweeted: “To add to tributes — June Whitfield during #AbsolutelyFabulous — a wizz at the crossword, perfection with feed lines and kindness itself.”

Whitfield is most famous for her role in Absolutely Fabulous, where she played the character of Eddie’s mother alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley.

The London-born actress appeared on TV and radio for six decades and starred in more than 1300 radio and TV shows.

Her career took off when she rose to fam on the radio comedy Take It From Here in 1953 at a time when radio was far more popular than television.

She later became a popular TV double-act with Terry Scott on Happy Ever After (1974) and Terry and June (1979).

She also appeared the popular Carry On film series whihc included Carry On Nurse (1959), Carry on Abroad (1972) and Carry on Girls (1973).

In 1992 she appeared in Carry on Columbus (1992), which was a failed attempt to reboot the Carry On series.

She also starred in US sitcom Friends in 1998, where she played a housekeeper in an episode where Ross prepares to marry Emily, and Rachel makes a last minute flight to England to tell Ross she loves him and try to win him back.

At 89, Whitfield appeared in BBC soap EastEnders as Sister Ruth, a nun with a secret.

At 92, she was made a dame.

More to come.

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