Interview with June Whitfield (2018)
Dame June Rosemary Whitfield, DBE was born on the 11th November 1925.
Her first big break was a lead role in the radio comedy 'Take It From Here' from 1953. Television soon followed, including appearances with Tony Hancock throughout his television career. In 1966, Whitfield played the leading role in the television sitcom 'Beggar My Neighbour' which ran for three series. She was also in four 'Carry On' films: Nurse, Abroad, Girls & Columbus.
In 1968, June Whitfield and Terry Scott began their long television partnership, which peaked with roles as husband & wife in 'Happy Ever After' (1974–78) &, my personal favourite, 'Terry & June' (1979–87). Since 1992, June has appeared in Jennifer Saunders's sitcom 'Absolutely Fabulous' playing Edina Monsoon's mother. In recent years she has played a regular character in 'Last of the Summer Wine' as well as a recurring character in 'The Green Green Grass'. She also played Agatha Christie's 'Miss Marple' on BBC Radio 4 between 1993 and 2001.
Her first big break was a lead role in the radio comedy 'Take It From Here' from 1953. Television soon followed, including appearances with Tony Hancock throughout his television career. In 1966, Whitfield played the leading role in the television sitcom 'Beggar My Neighbour' which ran for three series. She was also in four 'Carry On' films: Nurse, Abroad, Girls & Columbus.
In 1968, June Whitfield and Terry Scott began their long television partnership, which peaked with roles as husband & wife in 'Happy Ever After' (1974–78) &, my personal favourite, 'Terry & June' (1979–87). Since 1992, June has appeared in Jennifer Saunders's sitcom 'Absolutely Fabulous' playing Edina Monsoon's mother. In recent years she has played a regular character in 'Last of the Summer Wine' as well as a recurring character in 'The Green Green Grass'. She also played Agatha Christie's 'Miss Marple' on BBC Radio 4 between 1993 and 2001.
In February 2018 I had the pleasure of chatting with June Whitfield about her memories & her involvement with the 'Carry On's':
CP: 2018 marks the 60th Anniversary of ‘Carry On’. What do you think the original team would make of the ongoing popularity if they were still around today?
JW: Well, I think they actually would be quite cross & quite confused as they received no repeat fees or royalties from them you know.
CP: Yes, this has been said quite a few times by different people. I imagine they would all have been quite rich!
JW: Yes, indeed they would!
CP: How well did you know the core team?
JW: I saw Kenneth (Williams) playing Dauphin in St Joan, he was wonderful! I think that he would have liked to have done more serious roles but, you know…, comedy took over. I also remember taking part in a radio show with Sid, although I honestly can’t remember what that was now as it was so long ago! I didn’t know Charlie (Hawtrey) very well at all to be honest.
CP: What are your thoughts on the never-ending rumours of a new ‘Carry On’ film?
JW: Oh, they’ve been saying it for years, who knows. I suppose it is in the lap of the Gods! I don’t believe anything that I hear anymore.
CP: The last one we had was ‘Carry On Columbus’.
JW: Yes, that was the last one wasn’t it? I played the Queen alongside Leslie Phillips King. Although I can’t remember what we were King & Queen of!
CP: Do you have any plans to attend any special events to mark the 60th Anniversary this year?
JW: No, I don’t do them anymore as I’m too old now. I remember the 50th event at Pinewood. That was some years ago now!
CP: I have a copy of the official group photograph that you are in, I will send you a copy.
JW: Have you really? That would be wonderful. The very best of luck with the website too!
My thanks & gratitude to Dame June Whitfield for taking the time to share her memories & talking to me for this feature for the website.
JW: Well, I think they actually would be quite cross & quite confused as they received no repeat fees or royalties from them you know.
CP: Yes, this has been said quite a few times by different people. I imagine they would all have been quite rich!
JW: Yes, indeed they would!
CP: How well did you know the core team?
JW: I saw Kenneth (Williams) playing Dauphin in St Joan, he was wonderful! I think that he would have liked to have done more serious roles but, you know…, comedy took over. I also remember taking part in a radio show with Sid, although I honestly can’t remember what that was now as it was so long ago! I didn’t know Charlie (Hawtrey) very well at all to be honest.
CP: What are your thoughts on the never-ending rumours of a new ‘Carry On’ film?
JW: Oh, they’ve been saying it for years, who knows. I suppose it is in the lap of the Gods! I don’t believe anything that I hear anymore.
CP: The last one we had was ‘Carry On Columbus’.
JW: Yes, that was the last one wasn’t it? I played the Queen alongside Leslie Phillips King. Although I can’t remember what we were King & Queen of!
CP: Do you have any plans to attend any special events to mark the 60th Anniversary this year?
JW: No, I don’t do them anymore as I’m too old now. I remember the 50th event at Pinewood. That was some years ago now!
CP: I have a copy of the official group photograph that you are in, I will send you a copy.
JW: Have you really? That would be wonderful. The very best of luck with the website too!
My thanks & gratitude to Dame June Whitfield for taking the time to share her memories & talking to me for this feature for the website.
Top: June adds her autograph to my 'Carry On Abroad' booklet alongside co-star Ray Brooks; Bottom: June in 'Carry On Abroad' (1972).
Dame June Whitfield sadly passed away peacefully on the 28th December 2018 after a short illness.
I will never forget the evening that she called me at home earlier in 2018. We talked about her career, Kenneth Williams, Frankie Howerd and the 'Carry On's as part of this section of the website. I had asked her fo help and never expected to get it from such a big star. That is the sort of lady she was.
She hadn't done many public appearances or special events for some time and when I asked her why she simply said 'I'm too old now'. It certainly wasn't the case that she had "tried it once and didn't like it"...
A great comic performer, she stayed absolutely fabulous until the very end and unselfishly supported star comedians for seven decades, often slyly outshining them!
Dame June Whitfield 1925 - 2018
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