EastEnders's Natalie Cassidy leads cast tributes to June Brown on The One Show

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has led tributes to the late June Brown during an appearance on The One Show to share her memories of the actress.

It was confirmed this morning (April 4) that June Brown, who played the role of the iconic Dot Cotton on the BBC soap, had died at the age of 95.

Speaking on The One Show this evening, Natalie Cassidy – who plays Sonia Fowler – noted that it had been "a sad day" for the cast and for the soap's fans as she remembered working alongside Brown.

"She was an absolute powerhouse," Cassidy recalled. "She was incredible to work with, she was fun, she was professional, she was cheeky and naughty at the same time. She's just going to be so, so dearly missed by all."

Speaking about her thoughts as to why the nation connected with the character of Dot so much, Cassidy noted that Brown "created Dot herself".

"I know it was written on a page but that character, she created," she continued. "And it was so real to life to have that woman around town who knew everybody's business. Every single scene she did, every word she said, was truthful.

"And that's why I think everyone fell in love with her."

Cassidy also added that "you always had to be at the top of your game with June", because the actress always gave her all to her character and her scenes.

"She cared about everything," Cassidy concluded.

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Since the news of June's death broke, her old castmates have also taken to social media to share their own stories and words of praise about the late actress.

Milly Zero, who plays Dotty Cotton on the soap, led the tributes towards 'Grandma Dot', sharing a number of pictures of her with Brown on her Instagram account.

"I have never met anyone who cared about their craft so deeply," she wrote on Instagram. "An artist, a national treasure, an icon & an inspiration to us all. She will always live on in the hearts of everybody she touched. There will never be anyone quite like June."

She concluded: "A huge, huge loss. Today and always my thoughts are with her family, friends & the whole team at @bbceastenders."

Lee Carter actor Danny-Boy Hatchard chose to remember the iconic soap actress by sharing a hilarious exchange between the two with his Twitter followers where Brown had cheekily admitted to Hatchard that he looked "much fatter on Tele".

He ended his tweet by writing: "What an honour to have known and worked with such an Icon. Rest easy wonderful Lady."

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Maisie Smith, who played Tiffany Butcher, shared a sweet throwback photo on her Instagram Stories, showing a young Maisie dressed as a princess with Brown smiling proudly by her side.

"Beautiful inside and out," she captioned the story. "Rest in peace June Brown."

"There's legends. And then there's June," wrote Declan Bennett, who played Dot Cotton's grandson Charlie, cheekily calling her "Sweet Nan" (while also pointing out that she would have hated being called that).

"She was made of the strongest material I've ever met in anyone ever. I'll forever treasure you changing my lines at the last minute and throwing your scripts around because you cared more than anyone about Dot and the Cottons," he continued.

"It was an honour to play your grandson and smoke fags with you on set. You absolute giant. Sleep Sweet Nan (she hated that word)."

Lauren Branning actress Jacqueline Osborne also shared a tribute, saying she felt "heartbroken" over the loss.

Sharing a still from a past EastEnders episode depicting her and Brown in the midst of what appeared to be a heart-to-heart, she wrote: "Sharing the screen with you, a family with you, was a dream come true, something I will never ever forget.

"Most of all though, your stories, your humour and just such calming words when I needed them. You made my joining the show so welcoming. I will keep these memories close to my heart."

The outpouring of tributes and kind words for the actress from EastEnders actors past and present has been nothing short of emotional since the news broke.

Everyone from Jake Wood to Danny Dyer and Emma Barton shared their tributes to the late Brown, calling her a "force of nature" and noting her kindness and her talent for settling into people's hearts.

Their tributes can be read below:

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EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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