EastEnders is set to pay tribute to one of TV’s most beloved characters when it is confirmed in the show that Dot Cotton has died.
Iconic actress June Brown, OBE, MBE, died at her home at the age of 95 in April this year. Since then, the team at EastEnders have been working on the most apt way to allow fans to say a final goodbye to Dot.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk at a recent visit to the set of Walford, new producer Chris Clenshaw confirmed that a ‘special’ episode is on the way.
‘We’re going to say a very sad farewell to one of the most iconic characters to have graced our screen, not just on EastEnders, but on British television,’ he told us.
‘It’s not a story that any of us wanted to think of or do, but under the circumstances we’ve been working on a story where we will say a final farewell to Dot.
We lost June earlier this year and what it will be is a fitting tribute to both June and Dot. We are working on it as we speak and it will be exactly what June deserves and I think what the audience deserves.’
June played Dot for 35 years on and off, first appearing in the show’s first year 1985.
She was last heard from in 2020, when Dot moved to Ireland, leaving a goodbye message for Sonia.
But it was never on the table that the door would ever be closed on June or Dot in any way while she was around, according to Chris.
‘We always knew we wouldn’t say goodbye to Dot while she was still with us, but she also knew that we’d have to find a time when we did say that,’ he reflected.
With emotion in his voice, he continued: ‘The hardest day of my time here so far was having to break the news to the cast and crew and whole company that June had sadly passed away.
‘Some of the cast and crew have worked with June for many years – and she is more than just a colleague and a dear friend.
‘I loved going to her dressing room – as script editor you’d go down and speak about a scene, and you’d have a couple of lines to discuss that could take 30 seconds and you’d be there for three hours chewing the fat.
‘It was glorious and we miss her dearly. We’re working on a special tribute to her.’
In the very special episode airing this winter, Dot’s family and friends will come together for her funeral to say goodbye to their beloved Dot.
The character is currently residing in Ireland but as per Dot’s wishes, her funeral will be held in Walford, the place she always called home.
Further specific details have yet to be confirmed.
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.
She announced the news of her exit from EastEnders in 2020 with little fanfare, revealing her decision on a podcast with a former co-star.
An EastEnders spokesperson had said the door remained open for a comeback, appearing to leave the decision in June’s hands.
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Following the news of her death, the show paid tribute 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.’
They added: ‘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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