I was lucky enough to work with June.. I learnt a lot from her
EastEnder Babs on her ‘awe’ for friend she met at 15
DAME Barbara Windsor has spoken of her sadness after the death of June Whitfield, a fellow Dame.
EastEnders legend Babs, who first met June when she was 15 years old, had been in regular contact with her up until her death aged 93 on Friday.
Babs, 81, said: “At 15 years old, I landed my first West End theatre role in Love from Judy and I was lucky enough to work with the wonderful and highly talented June Whitfield, who was one of the leading ladies.
“Not only was June a lovely lady who I learnt a lot from but I made up my mind to try and be like her. I was in awe of her. Our friendship lasted up until her passing. I am truly sad and she was a great lady. May she rest in peace.”
Husband Scott, who has been supporting Babs who has Alzheimer’s, added: “They remained friends and worked together in the Carry On films.
“They were calling each other up to a couple of months ago when Barbara called to congratulate her on her DBE.”
PARTY
June worked in TV and radio in a career spanning almost 70 years, including longrunning sitcom Terry and June, US show Friends, and Absolutely Fabulous.
Close friend David Hamilton visited June at her home six weeks ago to talk about her life for his radio show.
They met 17 years ago through the actor Derek Bond and his wife Annie and have stayed in regular contact ever since.
Speaking about their last meeting, David, 80, said: “When I saw June, I did think she looked frail.
“It came as a terrible shock when I heard she’d died, but I did know she’d had a fall recently. When people of a certain age fall it often causes complications.
“The last we’d heard was she’d had Christmas with her daughter, and was going to join us on New Year’s Eve.”
He says they always brought in the New Year together and were set to see each other tonight at a party thrown by Annie Bond. “We usually dress smartly, have dinner, then we always sing into the New
Barbara and June with Jack Douglas, Leslie Phillips and Norman Wisdom in 1998 Year – old songs like Side By Side and Roll Out The Barrel.
“Then June and I, who usually sat next to one another as we got on so well, would sing to each other If You Were the Only Girl in the World and I Was the Only Boy.”
He said the party would still go ahead – but without the usual singing.
“The party has been put to the vote, everybody wants to go ahead, very sadly there’ll be an empty chair there, but I can’t imagine we will sing without her,” he said.
“At midnight we’ll raise our glasses and toast June. I’m not a great crier, but I have felt emotional over the loss of June. I shall miss her.”
She died in her sleep at her care home. Annie was among the first to learn of her death as they were supposed to have lunch on Saturday, David said.
June was always in demand as she was such good company.
“We always exchanged stories about old pros we’d worked with and jokes. She was very witty. I know it sounds corny, but June really was a very lovely person.
“She always felt she was a supporting player, and yet she had wonderful comic timing. She was always easy to work with, never a prima donna. Although a Dame, she was not grand at all. June was the last of a great era of entertainers.”
He said showbiz friends flocked to her 90th birthday, including Roy Hudd and Joanna Lumley. After her husband Tim’s death in 2001, she worried about money despite having work. “She was rattling around in their house so she moved to the lovely home in Kingston. She said to me, “I’ve sold the house in Wimbledon for a lot of money... I think I’ll be all right.
“It was that old showbiz pro attitude, always worried they won’t have enough money. It made me chuckle because she was clearly going to be more than all right.”
GRACE
Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders, 60, paid tribute, saying she “lived and worked with an extraordinary grace”. The pair played mother and daughter for five series of the hit sitcom, as well as in the 2016 film.
Saunders said: “It’s so tremendously sad to lose June. I will always be grateful that she agreed to be in Ab Fab and even more grateful that she became a dear friend.
“She lived and worked with an extraordinary grace. Everything June did was perfectly measured. She was so loved and I will miss her hugely.”
Joanna Lumley, 72, who played hard-drinking Patsy, said she was “heartbroken”. She added: “I shall never forget her sensational talent, humour and her generosity to us all who had the joy of working with her on Ab Fab. She’ll always have a most special place in my heart.” Actor David Walliams, 47, called her achievements “always brilliant”.
Spice Girl Emma Bunton, 42, who appeared on Ab Fab, said that June made her feel “comfortable and special” on
the set. David and June six weeks ago