Jennifer Saunders praises Whitfield’s ‘extraordinary grace’

BBC
Absolutely Fabulous writer Jennifer Saunders has paid tribute to the “extraordinary grace” of Dame June Whitfield who has died, aged 93.
The creator of the sitcom, in which Dame June starred, said she would “hugely” miss her “dear friend”.
Fellow Ab Fab actress Joanna Lumley praised Whitfield’s “sensational talent” while Julia Sawalha described her as a “great source of inspiration”.
Dame June worked in TV and radio for six decades, including Terry and June.
She also appeared in Carry On films and featured in the US sitcom Friends.
At 89, she appeared in EastEnders as Sister Ruth, a nun with a secret about Kat Moon. At 92, she was made a dame.
Her agent said she died peacefully on Friday night.
Saunders said: “It’s so tremendously sad to lose June. I will always be grateful that she agreed to be in Ab Fab.”
“Everything June did was perfectly measured. She was so loved and I will miss her hugely.”
Tributes to her long and successful career in comedy are also being made on Twitter.
Lumley told ITV news she was “heartbroken to lose such a darling friend”, who would “always have a most special place in my heart”.
She said she would never forget “her sensational talent, humour and her generosity”.
Jane Horrocks, who played the ditzy character Bubble in the comedy, said her former co-star was a “wonderful lady”, who was “versatile, funny and generous”.
Most of Whitfield’s scenes during her three episodes on EastEnders were filmed opposite Jessie Wallace, who tweeted: “A truly great actress and comedy legend. Working with June was a masterclass.”
Impressionist Rory Bremner called Whitfield the “go-to comedy actress for three generations”.