Dame June Whitfield, who delighted television and radio audiences for seven decades, has died aged 93.

The comic actress enjoyed a career stretching back to the 1940s, including roles in the Carry On films and the sitcoms Terry And June and Absolutely Fabulous.

She was made a dame in the 2017 Birthday Honours for her services to drama and entertainment in a career spanning eight decades.

Dame June’s agent said on Saturday that she “passed away peacefully” on Friday night.

The star is well known for playing the mother of Jennifer Saunders' character Edina Monsoon in the hit BBC show Absolutely Fabulous.

Dame June also appeared in numerous Radio 4 productions during her career, and played Agatha Christie's Miss Marple.

She was granted an OBE at the 1985 Birthday Honours, and was made a CBE in 1998.