Archers fans mourn June Spencer who has died at 105

June Spencer, the long-time star of the BBC radio drama The Archers, has died at the age of 105.

- Alexi Duggins

She died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of yesterday. Her family said: "[We] would like to pay particular tribute and thanks to the staff team at Liberham Lodge, who so lovingly cared for her in the last two years."

Spencer was one of the programme's original cast members, joining for the pilot episodes in 1950 to play multiple characters: an Irish baker's assistant called Rita Flynn, a Scottish maid and Peggy Woolley, the role she would make her own. The show became such a success that she was soon a household name.