Peggy Woolley

Peggy Woolley
The Archers character
June Spencer as Peggy
Portrayed byJune Spencer (1950–1953, 1962–2022)
Thelma Rogers (1953–1962)
Duration1950–2022
First appearance29 May 1950 (1950-05-29)
Last appearance31 July 2022 (2022-07-31)
ClassificationFormer; regular
Created byGodfrey Baseley
Introduced byGodfrey Baseley
In-universe information
OccupationPublican (retired)
MotherPolly Perkins
StepfatherArthur Perkins (1959–1965)
HusbandJack Archer (until 1972)
Jack Woolley (1991–2014)
SonsTony Archer
DaughtersJennifer Aldridge
Lilian Bellamy
StepdaughtersHazel Woolley
Grandsons
Granddaughters
First cousinsBill Slater
Other relatives
  • Johnny Phillips
  • Phoebe Aldridge
  • Henry Archer
  • Mungo Bellamy
  • Jack Archer
  • Martha Carter

Margaret "Peggy" Woolley (also Perkins and Archer), is a fictional character from the BBC Radio 4 soap opera The Archers. Portrayed by June Spencer for over 60 years, Peggy has served as the core family's – and by extension, the village's – matriarch. Until July 2022 Spencer was the only remaining member of the original cast.[1]

The Independent newspaper has called Woolley "a fixture in the kitchens and sitting rooms of middle England since Clement Attlee was prime minister" and has a voice that is the "epitome of reassurance'.[2] BBC Radio 4 calls the character a "traditionalist" who makes her "opinions known to her children if she felt they were contravening her strict moral code".[3] Other commentators have labelled her as a "gangsta granny" and a "wealthy widow who lives in a grand house and controls family members using her money".[4] Spencer also recorded episodes as Peggy at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Spencer originally spent three years in the role, starting in 1950, until quitting the serial in 1953, and being replaced by Thelma Rogers. Spencer twice returned to The Archers in the following years to play another character, Rita Flynn, and was part of the cast when Rogers vacated the role of Peggy in 1962. Spencer swiftly resumed the role of Peggy and has played her ever since.[5][2] The character has been a widow twice, first to Jack Archer, and later Jack Woolley, suffered a stroke, raised children and run a pub.[3]

In 2018, Spencer said one of her goals was to celebrate her 100th birthday in June 2019,[1] while still performing in The Archers, a feat which she achieved.

In December 2021, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall marked the 70th anniversary of The Archers, and helped Spencer, then 102 years old, cut the cake.[6]

  1. ^ a b Singh, Anita (6 February 2018). "I've been on The Archers for 60 years – but nobody knows my name". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b "June Spencer: 'I am not Peggy Woolley. She has no sense of fun'". The Independent. 26 December 2010. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b "BBC Radio 4 – The Archers – Peggy Woolley". BBC. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  4. ^ Payne, Tom (26 December 2015). "Peggy Woolley actress: 'The creator of The Archers thought he was God'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  5. ^ "BBC Programme Index". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  6. ^ "BBC Radio 4 – The Archers – Peggy Woolley". BBC. Retrieved 18 January 2019.