June Whitfield’s most hilarious roles that changed the face of comedy

June Whitfield was a giant of comedy with a career in radio, TV and film that spanned 70 years.

She was one of the first female comedians to flourish in a very male-dominated industry, with her work ethic and talent shining through.

And she nailed the art of portraying Middle England females with a rebellious side.

But while she took the lead in Terry and June, she was equally as happy to play a supporting role rather than the lead, even calling her 2000 autobiography “…and June Whitfield”.

As today’s comedy legends line up to pay tribute to her after her death, here are some of her most memorable moments and characters…

1961 The Blood Donor

June starred alongside Tony Hancock in what is probably one of the most famous episodes of Hancock’s half hour.

Hancock had arrived to give blood for the first time, telling the nurse, played by June Whitfield, that is was “either that or join the Young Conservatives.”

Hancock and Whitfield ended up arguing about whether British blood types were superior to those from other countries. It has been hailed as one of the finest sitcom episodes ever written.

1961 The Benny Hill show

She had made her name as one of Britain’s best comic actresses, and joined The Benny Hill show.

In one famous scene June played a seductress who was trying to woo a terrified Benny, in another Benny seranaded June as she struggled with her dress, revealing her knickers while Benny managed to get the microphone lead wrapped around her neck.

1963 Beggar My Neighbour

This marked June’s first leading role in a sitcom. She played Rose Garvey who lived with husband Gerald in Muswell Hill next door to sister Lana Butt, played by Pat Coombs, and husband Harry played by Reg Varney.

While the Butts were always rolling in money Rose and Gerald struggled to make ends meet – but slightly snobbish Rose never let it be known they were ever short of cash.

In one episode Rose panics when they have guests coming to dinner who Gerald had told they had a luxury home complete with wine cellar and servant’s quarters.

When they arrive he makes Rose wear a fur coat he has “bought” her but it is five sizes too big as it is clearly borrowed. Rose says “oh I feel like a film star” – to which their guest replies “Yes – Nanook of the North”.

In the opening credits Lana and Harry set off in the morning in their flash car – almost mowing down Rose on Gerald on their push bikes – complete with umbrellas.

1971 Up Je T’aime by Frankie and June

June and comedian Frankie Howerd did a spoof version of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg’s erotic song Je T’Aime.

June may have been a far cry from sultry siren Birkin, but she perfected the art of the thwarted wife trying to seduce her husband who was more interested in his round of golf the next day.

1972 Carry on Abroad

June played nagging, prudish wife Evelyn Blunt on a package holiday to the Spanish resort Elsbels.

When all the gang went on a day-trip, Evelyn’s husband Stanley left her behind on purpose so he could try to flirt with another woman.

But while she is back at the hotel she is seduced by Spanish heart-throb Georgio, making her abandon her frigid ways and then try to resume her sex-life with her shocked husband Stanley.

1973 – The Dick Emery Show “Happily Married”

This sketch became one of the most famous from the Dick Emery Show with June and Dick playing a warring couple who keep up appearance of the perfect marriage to the customers in their pub.

But behind closed doors the truth outs.

In one furious row June slammed the bar top down on Dick’s fingers with him calling her a treacherous hag and try to strangle her, only for them to pretend they were dancing when a punter walked in.

1979 – Terry and June

Starring June and her long-term on-screen partner Terry Scott, the show was one of the most successful sitcoms ever, running for a staggering nine series until 1987.

They played middle-aged empty-nesters June and Terry Medford with snobby neighbours, and Terry’s madcap schemes and June’s serenity under pressure proving to be a winning formula.

In 1987’s Age Before Beauty episode Terry embarked on a fitness regime in a bid to feel younger and as usual took it too far.

June begged him to stop – which he only agreed to when he returned home from work to find June dressed as a punk in her own bid to recapture her youth.

1992 Absolutely Fabulous

June made the role of Mother (she never actually had a name in the show), the long-suffering mum of unhinged PR guru Eddie Monsoon played by Jennifer Saunders, into a classic of modern sitcom.

In one episode Eddie is ranting about her struggles with her weight, shouting: “Inside of me is a thin person just screaming to get out.” To which Mother dead-panned: “Just the One Dear?”.

June played the role in every series right up to the show’s 20th anniversary in 2012 and Absolutely Fabulous The Movie in 2016.

2014 Boomers

The sitcom followed the lives of three couples close to retirement and also starred Russ Abbott, Alison Steadman and Stephanie Beacham.

June played Joan, the elderly mother of Beacham’s character Maureen, who is not afraid to impose herself or her wheelchair on the younger generation.

She was known to like a drink or ten, much to the disgust of Maureen’s husband John, played by Abbott.

In one hilarious episode Joan drops a bombshell that she is getting married to someone 20 years her junior – and suffers a panic attack when she gets trapped in a lift on the morning of the wedding.

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