EastEnders legend June Brown dies, aged 95
June Brown, who played the iconic EastEnders character Dot Cotton, has passed away at the age of 95.
The sad news was announced by EastEnders in a statement, saying: "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 2,884 episodes June's remarkable performances created some of EastEnders' finest moments.
"We sent 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. Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
A statement from June's family read: "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."
June joined the BBC soap in 1985 as Dot, the mother of villain 'Nasty' Nick Cotton. She took a break in 1993, but returned in 1997 and stayed in the soap until 2020, when Dot left for Ireland.
Her co-star Gillian Taylforth 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."
Adam Woodyatt added: "I'm lost for words, something June never was.
"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."
June married actor Robert Arnold in 1958, and had six children with him, one of whom died in infancy. The couple were married for 45 years until his death in 2003.
In 2015, June confirmed that her eyesight was failing due to macular degeneration, which worsened following surgery. The condition was written in to the soap for her character Dot.
June also became the first soap actor to carry an entire episode single-handedly in 2008. Following her on-screen husband Jim Branning having a stroke, Dot recorded a monologue about her life for him to listen to on a cassette.
She was awarded her MBE in 2008, and her OBE in 2022 for services to drama and to charity.
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