June Brown as a young woman who changed the world of soaps

A youthful black and white picture of EastEnders actress June Brown has emerged as tributes are paid to the woman who played the Soap matriarch for 35 years.

But for generations of fans who tuned in to watch the BBC soap she will be remembered as the character Dot Cotton - one of British TV’s longest serving artists who passed away on Sunday night aged 95, with her family at her bedside.

EastEnders bosses paid a heartbreaking tribute to June, 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...