June Spencer: Lifetime award for Archers' Peggy Woolley
THE Archers veteran June Spencer, who has been in the village-based radio soap since its first ever episode in 1950, was given a lifetime achievement award last night.
The 94-year-old actress plays Peggy Woolley and is the only remaining member of the original cast. She was honoured at the BBC Audio Drama Awards at Broadcasting House.
June, who lost her own husband to Alzheimer’s, has recently been involved in a storyline about the death of her fictional husband Jack, who suffered from dementia.
The actor who played him, Arnold Peters, was also an Alzheimer’s victim and died aged 88 last May.
Radio 4 Archers editor Sean O’Connor said: “June is an extraordinary woman who has committed her life to the BBC and The Archers. At 94, absolutely nothing fazes her.
“She performed with heart-breaking dignity in the recent episodes.”
In other awards, the Radio 4 production of Evelyn Waugh’s Sword Of Honour trilogy was named best audio drama adaptation and Lee Ross was named best actor in an audio drama for Radio 3’s King David.