The statement said: “His family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Liberham Lodge who have so lovingly cared for him over the last two years.”

Spencer was born in Nottingham in 1919 and made her debut playing Peggy in the first episode of The Archers, recorded in 1950 and broadcast in 1951.

She left the show briefly in 1953 to care for her family, at which point Thelma Rogers took over the role of Peggy.

Spencer later returned to portray another character, Rita Flynn, between 1956 and 1958, and in 1961, before Rogers left The Archers and Spencer returned to play Peggy.

He then remained with the series until 2022, when he retired at the age of 103.

He said at the time: “I helped plant acorns in 1950. It took root and was planted in January 1951 and was named Archers.

“Over the years it flourished and became a magnificent, large tree with many branches. But this old branch, now known as Peggy, had grown weak and unsafe, so I decided it was time for it to ‘branch out’ and I duly cut it down.”

In 2021, Spencer attended the 70th anniversary celebrations of The Archers at Clarence House, hosted by Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall.

Camilla called Peggy “a true national treasure who has been a part of my life and the lives of millions of others for as long as I can remember.”

In addition to his role in The Archers, Spencer has also appeared in shows such as daytime drama Doctors and Songs of Praise.

He was appointed OBE in 1991 and CBE in 2017 for his services to drama and charity. He also received the Freedom of the City of London award in June 2010.

Comedian Angela Barnes was among those who paid tribute to Spencer following the news of his death. excitementRebranded as