Dame June Whitfield, who starred as Edina’s mother in Absolutely Fabulous, has died at the age of 93.
Ab Fab co-star Joanna Lumley announced the news on Twitter saying, “Sad news just in. The brilliant and gorgeous June Whitfield has sadly passed away at the age of 93. Thoughts go out to her family and friends”.
Sad news just in.. The brilliant and gorgeous June Whitfield has sadly passed away at the age of 93. Thoughts go out to her family and friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9RpDLzStej
— Joanna Lumley OBE (@JoannaLumleyUK) December 29, 2018
June Whitfield started her career in the radio comedy Take It From Here in 1953. She moved to television and starred in Beggar My Neighbour with Reg Varney in 1966.
June also popped up in the Carry On films ‘Nurse’ (1959). ‘Abroad’ (1972), ‘Girls’ (1973) and ‘Columbus’ (1992).
June Whitfield first worked with Absolutely Fabulous star and creator Jennifer Saunders in French and Saunders in 1988. Saunders then cast her as Mother/Gran in Absolutely Fabulous in 1992. She played the character in every series from 1992 to 2012.
June Whitfield received many honours for her work. In 1985 she received the OBE, in 1998 the CBE and was made a Dame in the Queens honours of 2017.
June was married to surveyor Timothy John Aitchison from 1955 until his death in 2001. Their daughter Suzy Aitchison played Suzy in Jennifer Saunders sitcom Jam & Jerusalem.
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