June Marlow, known for her role in Doc Martin, has died at the age of 95, shortly after celebrating her birthday.
Jean Dike, known professionally as an actress, passed away peacefully at her home in Plymouth on February 22nd, surrounded by family. She had recently turned 95 on January 15th.
Jean is remembered lovingly by her family. Her daughter, Kate – a talented actress, comedian, and writer – recently honored her mother, having also served as her personal assistant for the past three years.
Oh my gosh, she was absolutely iconic as the doctor in Doc Martin! It breaks my heart, but I just learned her very last role, how amazing, was still on that show, alongside Martin Clunes! She was 87, but still gracing our screens – a true legend until the very end!
In this episode, Jean played Ethel, an older woman who injured herself in a fall, getting a rusty nail stuck in her hand.
Knowing this might be her final film role, Jean apparently told her well-known co-star, ‘If this is how my career ends, I’m glad I’m sharing the screen with you, Martin.’
Jean spent the last few weeks of her life in her home of 35 years, receiving care from St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth and her daughter, Kate Van Dike, who lived with her to provide full-time support.
Kate explained that her mother preferred not to talk about her health, saying, ‘She didn’t want to think about it.’
‘She kept looking forward and was always pragmatic and driven.’
Jean’s family announced her passing last month on the Facebook page for her late husband’s organization, The Van Dike Club.
It read: ‘A Van Dike family announcement.
Jean Christine Dike, known lovingly as Jeanie and professionally as June Marlow, passed away peacefully at home yesterday. Surrounded by her daughter Kate, and holding the hands of Adelaide and Rich, she was visited by family and showered with love and appreciation for her life and the guidance she provided.
I’m absolutely heartbroken. Jeanie was more than just a singer; she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law – a truly incredible woman. She faced everything with such strength, grace, and dignity, right to the very end. I, like so many others, will hold her memory close forever. Her voice was just magical, and we’ll always celebrate her as one of the greatest British jazz singers of her time. It’s a huge loss, and she’ll be deeply missed.
We are deeply proud and grateful for Jeanie, who also went by June Marlow (Jean Christine Dike). She was born on January 15, 1931, and passed away on February 22, 2026. As the song says, she meant more than words can express.
Kate, Jean’s daughter, praised the hospice, saying St. Luke’s allowed her mother to maintain her independence and make her own choices until the end. They also provided valuable support to her and the rest of the family.
The staff were so kind and caring to Mum, making her feel truly valued. We wouldn’t have been able to look after her at home without their support.
In a blog post for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, Kate shared that her mother, always polite, responded with a touch of humor when discussing moving into hospice care. Kate recalled her mother saying, “I had so much more I wanted to do! But thank you for everything – I couldn’t have asked for more.”
She explained that Mum’s doctor recommended St Luke’s for in-home nursing care because of her increasing frailty and need for specialized help.
In the 1930s, teachers at Jean’s school, Castle Street Infants School, soon noticed she was very talented.
At just 13 years old, Jean recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the first time professionally.
She reportedly made a round trip by train from her hometown of Plymouth to London all by herself, and was paid 15 guineas – the equivalent of £15.75 today – for the performance.
Three years after that, Jean competed on the ITV talent show, Opportunity Knocks, which was hosted by Hughie Green.
As Jean’s career blossomed, she met her future husband, Peter Van Dike. He was a musician and photographer who played the double bass in a comedy band she toured with.
They married quickly while traveling and remained together for 40 years, until his death in 1988.
Jean started acting a few years after her children were born, and went on to appear in shows like MI High alongside June Whitfield, and multiple seasons of the hit series Doc Martin.
When Jean’s acting career began to flourish, she started using the name June Marlow, and that’s how she became famous.
After starting a family, Peter opened the Van Dike Club on Exmouth Road. It became a popular spot for artists and bands to perform from the late 1960s through the early 1970s.
Many famous musicians, including Pink Floyd, Status Quo, and Eric Clapton, played their early gigs at the club.
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2026-03-13 21:04