After joining an amateur dramatic society,[6] she earned a London Guildhall School of Music and Drama certificate.

[5] Spencer's initial work as a governess at a private school helped fund drama lessons, which led to appearances at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.

During the Second World War she worked in the Nottingham City treasurer's office before joining a theatre company and, later BBC Radio, appearing on programmes such as Children's Hour and Dick Barton: Special Agent before The Archers began in 1950.

Her chosen music included the Hallelujah Chorus and Fred Astaire's "Let’s Face the Music and Dance", with her favourite being John Williams playing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez; her chosen book was Three Men in a Boat, and her luxury a Scrabble board.

[18] On 12 July 2012, Spencer was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Nottingham as a Doctor of Letters for her services to broadcasting.