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Amazon Review
Lacking the self-confidence to take herself seriously as an actress, June Whitfield developed "a kind of aversion to heavy, serious roles" so concentrated on comedy instead. Whitfield figured that since the audience was going to laugh at her anyway, she might as well appear in things that were intended to be funny. And so began a comedic career that has seen the Queen Mum of mirth appear in some of the funniest series ever made; such as the Carry On films, Hancock, Steptoe and Son and Absolutely Fabulous.Encouraged by her mother, Whitfield pursued a career on the stage at an early age and was learning to sing, dance and play the piano by the time she was three. After a "comfortable and uneventful" childhood, Whitfield successfully auditioned for a place at RADA and went on to work in London's West End with such luminary luvvies as Noel Coward and John Gielgud. But it was in comedy that Whifield was to make her name, most notably in the long-running television sitcom Terry and June. Her name became so indelibly linked with that of her co-star, Terry Scott, that many people thought they were actually husband and wife. Once, while dining out with her spouse, someone asked Whitfield where her husband was. "Right here," she replied. "Not that one, the real one", said the fan. And June Whitfield charts the longevous career of an enduring character actress who, while transcending the times, has worked alongside some of the best-known names in British comedy. "The nearest thing I had to a career plan was to keep on working", writes Whifield. And at 75 it seems this seriously funny actress has no intention of stopping. --Christopher Kelly
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