The real-life children of EastEnder’s legend June Brown made a surprise cameo appearance at her character Dot Cotton’s funeral.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the beloved chain-smoking launderette worker was laid to rest in heart-breaking scenes aired by the BBC One soap on Monday.
The extended episode paid tribute to both Dot and Brown, who starred in EastEnders from 1985 to 2020 and died at the age of 95 in April.
Three of Brown’s five adult children – Nim, Sophie and Billy – could be seen sitting on the same row as Dot’s great-nephew Reiss Colwell (played by Jonny Freeman) during the emotional church service.
Their inclusion came after they personally requested to attend the character’s funeral.
Speaking about the family’s appearance on the show, executive producer Chris Clenshaw previously told RadioTimes.com: “June’s children, Nim, Sophie and Billy, knew how much EastEnders meant to their mother, so much that they requested to attend Dot’s funeral to say their goodbyes, which was absolutely lovely for all of those involved.
“You know, stories were shared throughout the day, which was just gorgeous.”
Other familiar faces from series past returned for Dot’s funeral, including Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), Mary Smith (Linda Davidson), Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt), and Barry Clark (Gary Hailes).
Viewers were stunned to see Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) also bading a tearful farewell to Dot from afar.
Woodyatt bowed out of the show two years ago, and Ian hasn’t been seen on screen since his exit in January 2021.
During his brief appearance, he was seen taking a phone call from an unknown caller who he referred to as “love” and assured them that he would be “home soon”.
Given his wife Sharon had attempted to kill him prior to his departure and was inside the church with the rest of the mourners, it couldn’t have been her, so who has he been living with and could this pave the way for Ian’s future return?
