EastEnders star Diane Parish has opened up about the moment the BBC soap cast were told about the death of Albert Square icon June Brown yesterday.
The 52-year-old actress, who plays Denise Fox on the soap, appeared on This Morning alongside Fatboy actor Ricky Norwood to pay tribute to the Dot Cotton icon, who died at the age of 95 at her home in Surrey, with her family by her side.
Diane dialled into the ITV daytime programme, hosted by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary while regular hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are on Easter break, from her home in London.
Host Alison, 47, asked Diane what the “mood” on set is like, to which Diane said its “tough” at EastEnders at the moment, in the wake of June’s death as well as those of Barbara Windsor and Anna Karen.
Diane detailed the moment the cast were told yesterday, saying: “I wasn’t there at the time when everyone was called to be told about June’s passing, but I got a phone call from one of the cast members and everyone’s devastated. It was like a punch in the gut.
“I suppose, in this awful way, you kind of expect everyone’s not going to live forever, although we hoped June would live forever.”
She continued: “It was just that thing that we didn’t want to happen and we didn’t expect it to happen, so it really took everyone’s breath away.
“It was a very sombre day by all accounts and it will be for quite a while, because she was the rudder in the ship.
“She was the definition of EastEnders and it was a privilege to know her and work with her.”
She then continued: “We’ve lost some great ones. We’ve lost Barbara, June and Anna Karen this year, so it’s tough at EastEnders at the minute.”
For 35 years, June Brown cemented her role as the iconic chain-smoking laundrette worker EastEnders fans know and love.
Having appeared in 2884 episodes of the BBC soap, June decided to retire after her final episode aired on January 21 2020.
EastEnders bosses paid a heartbreaking tribute to June yesterday, writing: "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."
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
