June Whitfield sadly died, aged 93, on 28 December.
A rep for the actress confirmed the sad news, explaining she died peacefully at home.
And Joanna Lumley has shared an emotional tribute to her Absolutely Fabulous co-star, following the 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, the Patsy actress told ITV News.
She will always have a most special place in my heart.
While Julia Sawalha, who played her granddaughter Saffy in the sitcom, tweeted: Thank you #damejunewhitfield, for teaching me my craft with such grace and dignity.
I always wanted you to know how in awe of you I was, however, you were always far too humble to accept my adoration. You were a great source of inspiration to me.
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Bye-bye Gran.
Bubble actress Jane Horrocks wrote: Grew up on #TerryAndJune and had the pleasure of working with June on #AbsolutelyFabulous.
Thank you #damejunewhitfield,for teaching me my craft with such grace and dignity.I always wanted you to know how in awe of you I was, however, you were always far too humble to accept my https://t.co/2wc2G3bQ0G were a great source of inspiration to me. Bye-bye Gran.
— Julia Sawalha (@JuliaSawalha1) December 29, 2018
She was a wonderful lady. Versatile, funny and generous. Much loved and will be much missed.
June played Jennifer Saunders mother in Ab Fab for over a decade.
And, while she boasts a career spanning decades, it is her role as mum in Ab Fab that she was most noted for.
She starting out in radio back in the 1940s, before getting her big break on Take It From Here in 1953.
The late star made the move over to the big screen a few years later, making her Carry On debut in Carry On Nurse, and then in a further three films.
#JuneWhitfield s incredible career in British comedy stretched all the way from Hancocks Half Hour to Absolutely Fabulous. She was always there, always being brilliant. @ferrifrump wrote June one of the funniest lines in television history… https://t.co/zFeBkCgksY
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) December 29, 2018
One of Junes most recent screen appearances came in 2016, when she played Sister Ruth in EastEnders.
Following the sad news of her death, a string of famous faces rushed to pay tribute.
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Taking to Twitter, David Walliams wrote: #JuneWhitfields incredible career in British comedy stretched all the way from Hancocks Half Hour to Absolutely Fabulous.
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She was always there, always being brilliant. @ferrifrump wrote June one of the funniest lines in television history…
While Julian Clary simply posted: God bless. How I adored her.
And Trevor Nelson tweeted: Dame June Whitfield was a funny lady. “Terry and June”, childhood memories right there. RIP.
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