June Whitfield

Richard Pinto's sixtysomething sitcom continues, with the gang heading to a gastropub for Carol and Trevor's 40th wedding anniversary. Naturally, things don't go smoothly, as Carol considers a big life change. A comedy with some good lines (hangdog Alan reflects on meeting up with the same bunch of people yet again: "These people are friends, we shouldn't have to see them") but which somehow lacks warmth. Worth persevering with, even if this episode doesn't, as Ab Fab did so splendidly, make enough of June Whitfield's comic timing.

June Whitfield interview

Critics have called her programmes 'suburban' and 'middle class'. As she joins the cast of new BBC sitcom Boomers, actress June Whitfield asks, what's wrong with that?

Imagine a world where Russ Abbot is shacked up with Stephanie Beacham, but threatened by the appearance of Nigel Planer, who has a thirtysomething Lithuanian wife. Welcome to the first episode of this frisky 60-plus sitcom, which is ushered in with a funeral. Even though the cast don't get any hilarious one-liners to show off yet, there's also the charming promise of Alison Steadman as Joyce, the ringleader for the newly retired and easily-bored posse, as well as June Whitfield, who's set to appear later in the series.

Whitfield attacks BBC sneering at 'middle class comedy'

In the classic sitcom Terry and June she portrayed one half of television's quintessential middle class couple. Now June Whitfield has hit out at the BBC managers who declared that too much of the corporation's comedy is "middle class".

June Whitfield reveals fear every job may be her last

She's starred in Absolutely Fabulous, Last of the Summer Wine and Carry On Abroad but June Whitfield worries work will dry up.

An idea pioneered by the BBC, lately adopted by Sky, and now back again on the BBC, Comedy Playhouse was an exciting notion: a kind of "try before you buy" test on potential new comedy series. Originally created as a way for Tony Hancock's writers Alan Galton and Ray Simpson to spread their wings beyond East Cheam, the series spawned Last Of The Summer Wine and more Galton & Simpson gold in Steptoe And Son. This doc features the pair as talking heads alongside stalwarts such as June Whitfield.

Jonathan Creek's mind meets its match in the problem-solving brilliance of a kidnap victim, held chained in a locked room. Strands of what appear to be separate storylines weave into a neat reveal as we follow the fortunes of a horny cleaner, a corpse in a nice hot bath, visiting twin sisters and party balloons. Josie Lawrence joins Alan Davies and Sarah Alexander for this final jaunt, along with June Whitfield - who puts in a delightful double appearance as the bickering twins.

Radio Times review

Yes, the good news is that June Whitfield appears in this final episode, not once but twice, playing twins Heidi and Laurel (note the names - they prove significant). Unfortunately, their storyline turns out to be something of a sideshow, in an episode that offers another rattle-bag of curiosities.

Writer David Renwick has reached the point (if he didn't years ago) where all connection to reality has been severed and we're left with tales driven purely by puzzles, puns and misunderstandings.

So Jonathan's wife Polly, for instance, does something rash that you feel sure she would never do. The point of her character is that she's sensible and sane, if inclined to overreact to things, as she does when Jonathan greets an old acquaintance - an attractive weather presenter - a little too warmly.

The main mystery involves the wife of a government minister who is kidnapped, then forgotten about for half the episode as we detour into the world of the Creeks' eccentric cleaner (Josie Lawrence). A priceless watch, a heron, lousewort, tights and an Aladdin's lamp are also involved.