The British soap legend, who played matriarch Peggy Woolley (formerly Archer), made her debut in the first-ever episode of the much-loved drama in 1951.
Her final performance was broadcast on July 31.
“In 1950 I helped to plant an acorn. It took root and in January 1951 it was planted out and called ‘The Archers,'” Spencer said in a statement on the BBC website. “Over the years it has thrived and become a splendid great tree with many branches.”
Explaining her decision to leave the show after seven decades, she said: “This old branch, known as Peggy, has become weak and unsafe so I decided it was high time she ‘boughed’ out, so I have duly lopped her.”
Jeremy Howe, editor of “The Archers,” described working with Spencer as “one of the greatest privileges of my many decades in drama.”
In the BBC statement, he praised her as “an inventive, focused and technically brilliant actor, or such a lovely person.”
Howe added: “Myself and The Archers team and cast wish June a well-deserved and long retirement — and I know that if she doesn’t think the show is up to the mark, June will be letting us know. Bravo the legend that is June Spencer.”
Spencer was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1991. In 2010, she received the freedom of the City of London, and she was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2017 birthday honors for services to drama and charity.
