By Sheila Mckenzie-
EastEnders is mourning the death of one its most loved stars , who died after more than three decades at the age of 95.
EastEnders star June Brown, best known for her role as chain-smoking Dot Cotton, has died at the age of 95, it has sadly been announced. today. The actress died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side.
Dot Cotton was one of the soap’s longest-running characters, was well loved by viewers over many decades. Her death with touch many of the programme’s avid viewers.
EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt described her as an “incredible woman”.
Brown first appeared in the series in 1985, the year EastEnders was created and continued until 1993, returning to play the same character from 1997 until 2020.An EastEnders spokesperson said: “There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten.
“June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2884 episodes, June’s remarkable performances created some of EastEnders finest moments.”
EastEnders bosses paid a heart breaking tribute to June, writing: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE sadly passed away last night. There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten…
“June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2884 episodes, June’s remarkable performances created some of EastEnders finest moments…
“We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June’s family and friends. A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today – we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory. Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten.”
Brown had made previous appearances in Coronation Street and Doctor Who, before actor Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den, suggested her for the role.
After joining Albert Square, Brown also starred in comedy Ain’t Misbehavin in 1997, and played Nanny Slagg in the BBC’s production of Gormenghast in 2000. She announced the bombshell news of her exit from EastEnders in 2020 with little fanfare, revealing her decision on a podcast with a former co-star.
Dot had not featured in the soap for a month, when she left a voicemail for Sonia Fowler saying she had moved to Ireland. At the time an EastEnders’ spokesman said the door remained open for a comeback, appearing to leave the decision in Brown’s hands.
Some of Dot’s biggest storylines explored controversial issues such as euthanasia, cancer and homophobia.
It is somewhat ironic that she died two years after she retired from playing her much-loved character after 35 years in February as is one of British TV’s longest serving actresses.
She was originally recommended for the role by cast member Leslie Grantham, who played Vic landlord Dirty Den.
June also appeared in rival soap Coronation Street before making her name in the Square. Breaking the news of her retirement, she said on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast: “I don’t want a retainer for EastEnders, I’ve left. I’ve left for good.
“I’ve sent her off to Ireland and that’s where she’ll stay. I’ve left EastEnders. I did make up a limerick. It’s a bit dirty. I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke.
“Well that is no joke. I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back.”
Last year, June spoke of her pride after receiving an OBE.
The actress, who played Dot from 1985 – the year the soap started – to 2020, said it was a “great honour”.
She added at the time:
Some of her biggest storylines included Nasty Nick’s murder plot, when her son, played by John Altman, planned to poison her so he could steal her big bingo winnings to use on drugs. He changed his mind at the last minute.
A controversial moment in the show came when came when her close friend Ethel, who was terminally ill, asked Dot to help her take an overdose of morphine to end her life.
In the last episode she featured in, Dot Cotton – or Dot Branning – left a voicemail message for another character, Sonia Fowler, saying she had moved to Ireland.
“So many memories, so much fun. Just purely and simply an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career, I was fortunate to have shared a small part of it. They never made you a Dame (we did try), but to me you will always be Dame Brown.”
Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale in the BBC soap, said: “I’m truly heartbroken by this news. June Brown OBE, MBE, was an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress. I shared many scenes with her over the years and she was always someone I looked up to and learnt from. There will never be another June Brown and I’m sending all my love to her family.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries described Brown as a “true national treasure”.
“There was nobody quite like June Brown. She captured the zeitgeist of British culture like no other in her many years on our screens,” she said.
“Today we’ve lost a true national treasure but my goodness what a life she has led. Rest in peace.”
Co-star John Altman said doctors advised June to continue smoking, after she tried to quit in 2019, after 70 years of smoking.
She lived very long for a smoker.
John, who played nasty Nick Cotton, revealed back in 2020 that June was still smoking ten cigarettes a day.
June left EastEnders in 2020, making her final appearance in January of that very year, after Dot came to believe that Martin Fowler had stolen money from her, though it later emerged it was Sonia who stole the money was Sonia.
She will be sorely missed, and may her sole rest in perfect peace.