Joanna Lumley feels "heartbroken" by the death of her close friend Dame June Whitfield.
The 72-year-old actress has paid tribute to her ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ co-star – who died peacefully on Friday night (28.12.18) age 93 – saying June’s sensational talent will always be remembered.
Joanna told ITV News: "I am heartbroken to lose such a darling friend and shall never forget her sensational talent, humour and her generosity to us all who had the joy of working with her on ‘Ab Fab’.
"She will always have a most special place in my heart."
TV producer Jon Plowman, who worked on ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, has also hailed the talents of the late star, saying there was "no-one with a better ability to just ‘place’ a line, always an act of utter precision".
He told BBC Radio 5: "You would hand her a script, she would work out where the laughs were and then would very quietly wipe the floor with everybody else."
Similarly, Shane Allen, the controller of BBC Comedy, described June as "the North Star of British comedy".
He explained: "Her spectacular career is unparalleled in its longevity, with seven decades of being a key element in numerous high profile and successful shows. She was the go-to female comedy performer of her generation and was always in demand from the cream of British comedy."
The London-born actress was a regular fixture on TV and radio for decades, starring in more than 1,300 radio and TV shows.
But the humble star always claimed that a lack of confidence in her looks made her decide to concentrate on comedy.
She shared: "I believed that, since the audience was going to laugh at me anyway, I might as well be in things that were meant to be laughed at."
June was made a Dame in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to drama and entertainment.
Joanna Lumley feels heartbroken to have lost Dame June Whitfeld
