EASTENDERS legend and Dot Cotton actress June Brown has died at the age of 95, the BBC has announced today.
The actress died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side.
A cause of death is yet to be revealed.
An 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.
"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.
"Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
Read our June Brown blog for the latest news & updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Culture secretary pays tribute to June Brown
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said EastEnders star June Brown was a "true national treasure" who "captured the zeitgeist".
"There was nobody quite like June Brown," Ms Dorries said.
"She captured the zeitgeist of British culture like no other in her many years on our screens.
"Today we've lost a true national treasure but my goodness what a life she has led. Rest in peace."
- Joseph Gamp
How many EastEnders episodes did June Brown star in?
June Brown starred in no less than 2,884 episodes of EastEnders.
She played much-loved character Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for more than three decades.
Her last appearance aired on January 21, 2020.
- Joseph Gamp
Why did June Brown quit her role in EastEnders?
The Walford stalwart quit EastEnders in 2020 because she did not like her storylines. And she worried about not being able to read her script after being diagnosed with sight problems.
But John also revealed June’s vision has not worsened, although she had feared she would go blind.
He said: “Her eyesight’s not brilliant but apart from that she is full of beans. She gets the Kindle and her glasses, so she can still read."
- Joseph Gamp
June Brown was ordered to 'carry on smoking' by doctors before she died
EASTENDERS' June Brown was ordered to keep smoking by doctors before she died.
The actress, whose death aged 95 was revealed today, had spent the past 70 years puffing about 20 cigarettes a day.
Her on-screen son, John Altman revealed in 2020 that she was on half a pack a day on doctors’ orders.
John, 68, starred alongside June — who played Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for 35 years — as “Nasty Nick” Cotton, her criminally wayward son.
The actor, who regularly visited June at her home in Surrey, said: “She is still smoking, unfortunately, but the doctors have told her not to stop now. She loves her ciggies. She smokes at least ten a day.”
June tried to cut down her seven-decade habit in 2019 by turning to e-cigarettes — but said at the time they were too heavy to hold.
- Joseph Gamp
Explained: What did June Brown do during WWII?
June Brown was only a 12-years-old when World War Two broke in September 1939 – and was evacuated to Pontyates, a small village in Wales.
In the later years of the war, June served in the Wrens – the Women's Royal Naval Service.
Roles for the Wrens included radar plotters, weapons analysts, electricians, air mechanics and cooks.
- Joseph Gamp
Pictured: Dot Cotton with husband Jim Branning
June Brown, best known for her role as chain-smoking Dot Cotton, has died at the age of 95, the BBC has announced.
The actress died at her home in Surrey on Sunday evening with her family by her side.
The image below shows June Brown and John Bardon in their roles as married couple Dot and Jim Branning in Eastenders
Credit: PA In the image below,
Credit: PA - Joseph Gamp
June Brown won many accolades for her portrayal of Dot Cotton
June Brown won several awards for her portrayal of Dot.
These include a lifetime achievement honour at the 2005 British Soap Awards.
And in 2009, she was nominated for the best actress prize at the TV Baftas for her standalone episode of the soap.
- Joseph Gamp
'Heartbroken' Gillian Taylforth pays tribtue
Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale in the 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.”
- Joseph Gamp
Ian Beale actor pays tribute to June Brown
Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, said: “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."
- Joseph Gamp
Dot Cotton was crowned Best Soap Character of All Time
Chain-smoking Dot, played by 95-year-old June Brown since 1985, was recently crowned the greatest soap star of all time.
The actress's 35-year run as the Albert Square ended as she left the show in 2020.
In 2008, June made history by becoming the first soap character to appear alone for an entire episode.
In the episode called Pretty Baby, she spoke to a cassette recorder about her life so that her husband could listen to it as he lay in hospital following a stroke.
Brown's role as larger-than-life Dot was known for her devout Christian faith and hypochondria, as well as her endless cigarette addiction.
- Joseph Gamp
Who was June Brown married to?
June Brown married her first husband, John Garley, in 1950.
After his death she married actor Robert Arnold in 1958 and had six children with him.
- Joseph Gamp
June Brown was made an OBE in 2021
In December 2021 Brown was made an OBE in the New Year Honours, as she was recognised for services to drama and to charity.
She was previously made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2008 for services to drama and charity.
- Joseph Gamp
Dot's groundbreaking storylines
Some of Dot Cotton's biggest storylines explored controversial issues such as euthanasia, cancer and homophobia.
Her marriage to Jim Branning, played by John Bardon, was popular among fans.
Famously she was also mother to the notorious Albert Square criminal Nick Cotton, played by John Altman.
- Joseph Gamp
EastEnders' bosses always said 'the door was open' for Dot to return
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.
- Joseph Gamp
What else did June Brown star in?
Brown served in the Women's Royal Naval Service at the end of the Second World War, and then left to train at London's Old Vic Theatre School in Lambeth.
Before joining EastEnders she had roles in Coronation Street, Doctor Who, Minder and The Bill, as well as costume dramas The Duchess Of Duke Street and Oliver Twist.
After joining Albert Square she also starred in comedy Ain't Misbehavin in 1997, and played Nanny Slagg in the BBC's production of Gormenghast in 2000.
- Joseph Gamp
Dot Cotton first appeared on the square in 1985
The actress's 35-year run as the Albert Square mainstay began in 1985. before she left the show in 2020.
Brown was perhaps EastEnders' best-known star and larger-than-life Dot was known for her devout Christian faith and hypochondria, as well as her endless cigarette addiction.
The veteran actress, who had a long career in television and theatre, arrived on Albert Square shortly after the soap began in 1985, and aside from a break between 1993 and 1997, was a regular for more than three decades.
On January 31 2008 she single-handedly starred in an episode called Pretty Baby, in which she spoke to a cassette recorder about her life so that her husband could listen to it as he lay in hospital following a stroke.
- Joseph Gamp
June Brown's family give statement
A statement from Brown's family said: "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."
- Joseph Gamp
Statement from BBC
An 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.
"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.
"Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
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