EastEnders kicked off a brand new era this week by paying tribute to Dot Cotton, and it did so with a superb little throwback to the icon’s very first scene.

Monday’s (July 4) edition of the BBC One soap, which marks the beginning of Chris Clenshaw’s reign as Executive Producer, saw Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) enter the cafe after a difficult day at work.

‘Give us a tea, Kath!’, she bellowed at Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), before adding: ‘And a glass of water so I can take a paracetamol’.

Describing her early shift as a ‘nightmare’, Sonia then revealed that she’d ‘called on the Lord’ so many times that she reckons she’s ‘turning into Dot’.

Well, now that you mention it, Son!

The scene in question, for those of you who didn’t catch it, is actually a little throwback to Dot’s very first on the serial drama

The legendary character, portrayed by June Brown, made her debut in EastEnders on July 4, 1985, during the show’s 40th episode.

‘Give us a tea, Lofty!’, she exclaimed during her introductory scene, as she entered the cafe, addressing George ‘Lofty’ Holloway (Tom Watt). ‘And a glass of water, so I can take a paracetamol!’

Clever, right?

Long-time viewers will recall that Dot had been referred to for weeks ahead of her debut, and it’s safe to say that she made a memorable entrance.

June Brown, who played Dot on and off for 35 years, died in April 2022.

A statement from an EastEnders spokesperson read at the time: ‘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.’

EastEnders airs Mondays to Fridays at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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