THE ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS JUNE WHITFIELD

Channel 5, 8.45pm

Whether you know her as Jennifer Saunders’s mother in Absolutely Fabulous or Terry Scott’s doting wife in Terry and June, you’re sure to remember the hilarity and warmth that made June Whitfield, who died aged 93 in 2018, one of Britain’s most beloved comedy actors.

This documentary features contributions from Whitfield’s family, friends and colleagues, such as Jane Horrocks, Stephanie Beacham and Rory Bremner, as well as loyal fans, and shows us the woman behind the laughter – and how she diligently kept working well into her nineties. But although her personal life was mostly trouble-free, thanks to a happy marriage that lasted more than 50 years, her career wasn’t always plain-sailing: rarely the leading lady, she often played a range of supporting roles as the daughter, mother, wife or, in later life, grandmother of the (usually male) protagonist. This show succeeds in making us understand that these roles were never a source of regret for Whitfield, who lit up every performance with wit and wholesome humour. It’s a heartwarming look not only at Whitfield herself, but how age need be no barrier to success. Poppie Platt