EastEnders ‘Dot Cotton’, dies aged 95

EastEnders star June Brown, known for her role as chain-smoking Dot Cotton, died at the age of 95,The actress June Brown died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side.

After her death EastEnders spokeswoman said: “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.”

She added “June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2,884 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 but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory.”

She concluded by saying, “Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten.”

Brown’s family gave their statement as: “We are deeply saddened to announce our beloved mother, June, passed away very peacefully at her home in Surrey on Sunday evening, with her family by her side. We would kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Brown’s 35-year run as the Albert Square mainstay began during the time of 1985. Before she left the show in 2020.

Actress was perhaps EastEnders’ best-known star and larger-than-life Dot was known for her devout Christian faith and hypochondria, as well as her smoking addiction.

This veteran actress, had a long career in television and theatre, arrived on Albert Square shortly after soap began in 1985, and aside from a break between 1993 and 1997, was regular for more than three decades.

On January 31st 2008 she single-handedly starred in an episode called Pretty Baby, in which she spoke to cassette recorder about her life so that her husband could listen to it as he lay in hospital following a stroke.

Brown also served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service at the end of the Second World War, then left to train at London’s Old Vic Theatre School in Lambeth.

Before joining EastEnders she also had roles in Coronation Street, Doctor Who, Minder and The Bill, as well as costume dramas The Duchess of Duke Street and Oliver Twist.

December 2021 Brown was made an OBE in the New Year Honors, as she was recognized for services to drama and to charity.

Brown was previously made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2008 for services to drama and charity.

Brown married her first husband, John Garley, in 1950.After his death she married actor Robert Arnold in 1958, she had six children with him.