Classic 80s sitcom Terry and June slapped with major warning over language

ITV has slapped a warning on ­re-runs of one of the nation’s best-loved sitcoms, Terry and June.

The broadcaster advised viewers on its streaming service that the TV classic, which was originally shown in the early evening, had “discriminatory language”. The BBC One series ran from 1979 to 1987 across nine series, starring Dame June Whitfield and Terry Scott.

They played a suburban couple at home after the children have flown the coop. At its height, Terry and June could command audiences of 15 million. ITV did not comment on the specific language used. But fan Paul Phipps-Williams said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “There’s an episode where Terry is at a work conference and puts June’s perfume on by mistake.

“The entire episode is about how his boss hates gays, and how Terry is terrified about being thought of one. Cue every 70s homophobic comedy trope.” ITV said yesterday: “Programming that contains potentially sensitive language has carried appropriate warnings since our launch. We regularly re-examine historical programming in order to review, re-label, provide context and ensure the right guidance is in place.”

Scott and Dame June also starred in Happy Ever After, and the 1973 film version of Bless This House. During a 40-year career, she featured in 1,300 radio and TV shows, four Carry On films and won over new fans in Ab Fab. She was made a Dame in 2017, and died the following year at the age of 93.

Terry and June was axed in 1988 just as Scott suffered a nervous breakdown. It was brought on by his admission he had a string of mistresses during his marriage to former dancer Maggie Pollen, and he was suffering from cancer.

Scott, who died in 1994 aged 67, said at the time: “I know it would be better to give up the booze, fags and birds but life would be so boring, wouldn’t it?”

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