The Archers radio star June Spencer dies aged 105

Peggy Woolley, formerly Archer, was often viewed as a traditionalist, conservative character in the soap opera charting the ups and downs of life in fictional village of Ambridge.

Paying tribute, Radio 4 controller Mohit Bakaya said: "June Spencer has been a longstanding presence and companion for Radio 4 listeners during her exceptional run on The Archers.

"Many have grown up with June as Peggy and listened as she journeyed through life’s many chapters, with all of its ups and downs. In her later years, her portrayal of a devoted wife caring for a husband with dementia, including their very moving final goodbye, was deeply poignant and powerful radio.

"We send all our love and condolences to June’s family and the many people whose lives she touched."

Speaking in 2019 as the show's only original cast member, Spencer said: "I had no idea I'd be ever be 100 for a start, let alone still working!

"It's been marvellous, I hope I can keep on doing it for a bit, and perhaps set an example to older people who have just given up," she said.

Three years later, when she did decide it was time to leave the show, she said: "In 1950 I helped to plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted out and called The Archers."

She added that "over the years it has thrived and become a splendid great tree with many branches. But now this old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe so I decided it was high time she 'boughed' out, so I have duly lopped her".

The present Queen was among Spencer's many fans, and as Duchess of Cornwall she invited the actress and her co-stars to Clarence House for a reception in 2021, marking the show's 70th anniversary.

At the time, she called Peggy "a true national treasure who has been part of my life, and millions of others, for as long as I can remember".

Last year the Queen celebrated the 20,000th episode of the show by raising a glass to the "joy, tears and laughter" it gives.

In the mid-1950s, Spencer took a break from playing Peggy and the role was taken over by Thelma Rogers. Spencer returned to the role in the early 1960s, when Rogers departed.

Spencer was made both an OBE and CBE and in June 2010 she received the Freedom of the City of London.