June Spencer

It sounds a little bit posh, doesn't it?

Well, it was a very second-hand rocking horse, I'm quite sure, because my father was earning about, I think, under £400 a year at that time.

And what sort of character was your father?

Oh, my father was... He was a lovely, reliable, sensible chap.

He was always very supportive of me, and of my mother too, because my mother, when she was about 40, decided she was an invalid.

So it was my father, really, who did everything for me.

Yes, well, when I was barely three, I was cast as king of the land of Nod in a play.

It was an open air thing.

On my cue, they sort of...

sent me out the leading lady who was 12 said he doesn't speak he only smiles upon which I said oh look there's daddy in the audience so he does speak I followed that rapidly with oh mummy it's raining and I got another laugh so I think that's when I heard my first laughs and obviously enjoyed them

Oh, I remember it.

Oh, yes.

Do you?

Clearly.

What was the feeling?

Oh, it wasn't a fee.

No, it was all amateur.

Oh, I'm sorry you said, what was the fee?

My mind doesn't run on money, does it?

Yes, I can see them all in front of me laughing.