Absolutely Fabulous! Streatham & Clapham alumna June Whitfield becomes a Dame

Congratulations to Streatham & Clapham alumna June Whitfield CBE, star of Absolutely Fabulous, who was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Ms Whitfield, aged 91, first appeared on television in 1951 and has been a regular on stage and screen ever since. One of Britain’s best loved comedy actors, she is perhaps best known for her roles as mother to Edina Monsoon in Ab Fab, and as the long-suffering housewife in 1980s sitcom Terry and June.

Ms Whitfield has received numerous honours and accolades throughout her career, including the Women in Film and Television Award (1998), BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (2016) and OBE (1985) and then CBE (1998).

Ms Whitfield’s education at the then Streatham Hill High School was cut short when she was evacuated to Bognor Regis during World War II. She went on to gain a diploma from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1944, before embarking on her stellar acting career.

As well as bringing joy to millions with her comic performances, June has long-standing associations with a number of charitable causes, most notably with Age UK. We salute you Dame June!