Iconic EastEnders star June Brown passed away "very peacefully", it has been reported. She died at home on Sunday, April 3, and was best known for playing Dot Cotton in the BBC soap EastEnders.
June joined the cast of EastEnders in 1985, the year that the series was first aired, and remained in the show until 1993. She later re-joined the show again in 1997 and remained in the role of Dot for 23 years until 2020.
Overall June played Dot for 31 years and passed away aged 95. Her family said they were "deeply saddened" to announce that their "beloved mother" had passed away.
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EastEnders have also released a very emotional tribute: "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 was in her late 50s when she joined EastEnders and went on to become one of the most iconic British soap characters of all time. Her character Dot Cotton was known for normally smoking a cigarette and for her quick wit.
Throughout her time on the show Dot's storylines included almost being murdered by her son Nick and helping her close friend Ethel take her own life when she was terminally ill. In 2020, June left EastEnders "for good" and her last appearance in the show was a voicemail message to Sonia Fowler saying that Dot had moved to Ireland.
During her career June was awarded an OBE for her services to drama and charity in 2008 and won Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards. She was also nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress, making her the second-ever person to be nominated for their work in a soap.
June had six children, one who died as an infant, and was married to fellow actor Robert Arnold for 45 years until he died in 2003.
