EastEnders aired a tribute to late cast member June Brown on Monday night, after the Dot Cotton actress passed away on Sunday.
The BBC soap confirmed the news of June's death and shared a statement on behalf of her family, hours before the episode aired on BBC One.
As fans reeled from the sad news that the soap legend had passed away, the show aired a moving tribute to the star at the very end of the episode.
Fans praised the "beautiful" moment, as a picture of June as Dot appeared on the screen in black and white.
Accompanying the image was text that read: "In loving memory of June Brown OBE, MBE. 1927 - 2022."
Viewers were emotional by the tribute to the star, taking to Twitter to praise it being included so soon after the news broke.
One fan said: "Beautiful tribute to the legendary June Brown R.I.P sleep tight you beautiful angel."
Another commented: "The tribute to June Brown at the end of tonight’s episode was a lovely touch."
A third added: "Such a lovely episode and perfect tribute to June," as a fourth viewer said: "What a nice tribute to June brown at the end of tonight’s # EastEnders in loving memory."
Iconic June's final scenes as Dot aired in 2020 when she left Walford for good, while the character has been mentioned and visited by other characters numerous times since then, even in recent scenes.
Dot still has roots to Walford, with her late husband Jim Branning's family still there including his granddaughter Sonia Fowler, while Dot's granddaughter Dotty is also on the show.
Sharing the sad news of her passing on Monday afternoon, soap's bosses 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 2884 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 - we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory. Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
June's family said in a statement: "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."
The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One.
