EastEnders star June Brown, best known for her iconic role as Dot Cotton, has died at the age of 95, the BBC has announced.
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...
"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"
Born in Needham Market, Suffolk, in 1927, she went on to have a glittering showbiz career enjoying success in film, theatre and television.
She will be most remembered for her role as matriarch Dot Cotton in long-running soap EastEnders.
Playing the Walford legend since 1985, she retired the much-loved character after 35 years in February, as one of British TV’s longest serving actors.
In January 2008 she became the first and only soap actor to carry an entire episode by herself, in an episode which had more than 8.8 million viewers.
The classically trained actress was originally recommended for the role by cast member Leslie Grantham, who played Vic landlord Dirty Den.
Much-loved June served in the Army. One of five children to Harry and Louisa, she was evacuated during the Second World War to Wales where she was later to become a Wren.
The star had to endure much tragedy. Her brother John died aged just days after being born. Two years later, her sister Marise also passed away at eight years of age, which deeply affected her, and stayed with her into her final years.
'I’ve never felt such loneliness. Her death was the defining moment of my life. Micie was the only person to know the real me.
"The result was that I’ve spent my life looking for a companion who could show me the same sort of love. I’ve never found anyone to match her," she write in her autobiography.
Later in life, the star’s first husband John Garley committed suicide in 1957 after a battle with depression. She re-married in 1958, and had six children with new love Robert Arnold, who died from Lewy-body dementia in 2003.
Sadly her second child died after only 16 days following a premature birth. Robert passed away in 2003 after a three year battle with Lewy Bodies Dementia.
June also appeared in rival soap Coronation Street before making her name in the Square. Breaking the news of her retirement, she said on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast: “I don’t want a retainer for EastEnders, I’ve left. I’ve left for good.
“I’ve sent her off to Ireland and that’s where she’ll stay. I’ve left EastEnders. I did make up a limerick. It’s a bit dirty. I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke.
“Well that is no joke. I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back.”
Last year, June spoke of her pride after receiving an OBE.
The actress, who played Dot from 1985 - the year the soap started - to 2020, said it was a "great honour".
She added at the time: "I would like to thank Her Majesty, and all those involved in my recommendation."
June had revealed in 2020 that she was leaving her iconic soap role after 35 years.
The storyline saw her leave Walford after discovering Martin Fowler was responsible for stealing her savings, despite her own granddaughter Sonia Fowler being to blame.
Dot left an emotional voicemail for Sonia in her final scenes, explaining she had gone to Ireland to visit her grandson Charlie.
Dot's final words on the show were: "And I shall miss you and I shall always love you. Goodbye, my dear."
Dot's time in Albert Square was often troubled thanks to her wayward son 'Nasty' Nick Cotton.
Nick even tried to kill Dot on many occasions, including once trying to poison her so he could steal her bingo winnings.
June landed her first role since the soap in radio drama Missing You in 2020.
She voiced the character of a mother named Margey who was separated from her son, who has Down's Syndrome, because of the pandemic.
Richard Vergette, who penned the drama, said he'd always had June's voice in his head for the character.
He said: "When writing the role of Margey I had the voice of June Brown in my head and so asked the producer, Ashley Byrne, 'Can we find a June Brown-type of actress?
"'How about June Brown?' he replied. I still can't believe that a living legend is playing in a piece that I've written."
He co-star Sam Barnard said: "June is such a legend and a hero of mine since I was little. When I was asked to play this role I said, 'Oh I say!' and did a little dance of joy!"
June was good friends with her EastEnders co-star Barbara Windsor, who sadly died following a battle with Alzheimer's in 2020.
She paid an emotional tribute after the loss of the Peggy Mitchell star and told how she had longed to meet up with her once more.
June said: "I'm thinking of Babs as she was when she came in to EastEnders as Peggy Mitchell - tiny, bright, bubbly, pretty and friendly to everyone. She soon became loved by all the cast.
"We became great friends. We had adjoining dressing room and she was always popping in for coffee, and we'd go to lunch together; she kept me up to date with all the gossip. I wished we'd had more scenes together but our only one was in her last episode, when Dot said goodbye to Peggy, knowing that she was dying."
June said the pair talked regularly on the phone following Dame Barbara's departure from the soap.
She added: "In our last phone call she asked me several times where I was - I finally said 'I'm at home' and her comment was 'I'd like to come to your home', but it was too late for that.
"At this time, I'm thinking of her very loving husband Scott, who has created a legacy for her by training to run marathons in her name, owing to her great popularity, to raise an enormous amount of money in aid of the charity Dementia Revolution.
"They had such a happy marriage; they were like two children, always laughing together. While I'm still here, she'll always be alive in my mind."
But former soap chief Dominic Treadwell-Collins noted that it wasn’t always plain-sailing between the two soap powerhouse actresses, hailing Barbara as “the best executive producer EastEnders never had” for the way she often directed the rest of the cast.
The ex-show boss described how Dame Barbara “kept actors young and old in check”, reminiscing: “Once, June Brown shouted at us from her dressing-room window, ‘Your storylines are sh**’. Barbara grabbed her, brought her upstairs and told her to apologise.”
Dame Barbara's husband, Scott Mitchell, who was friends with June and worked as her agent, described the actress as a "force of nature".
He said he will now picture Dame Barbara, June and On The Buses actress Anna Karen, who played Aunt Sal in EastEnders and who died at the age of 85 earlier this year, in heaven together.
He added she created "one of soap’s most iconic soap characters ever in Dot Cotton. Up there with the greats."
Viewers were delighted when June struck up a sweet and unlikely friendship with Lady Gaga, when the pair appeared together on the Graham Norton Show in 2013.
The Born This Way singer was instantly taken aback by the soap icon and called her "too fabulous" and revealed that she was a "big fan" and "honoured" to be sitting next to her on the famous red sofa.
Sitting beside each other, the new best pals enjoyed a chat over a glass of red wine – which left viewers totally in love with the unlikely duo.
June put her long and full life down to which she put down to doing "what you damn well please".
In 2019 The Guardian reported that June said: "I’m going to die of something fairly soon, so why not enjoy myself."
The paper also revealed that she didn't shy from eating sweets or drinking wine, saying: "[I] love red wine and also dark chocolate, even though I’m allergic to it and it makes me sneeze.
After news of June's death broke, many rushed to pay tribute to her.
Fellow EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt, who has played Ian Beale on the soap since 1985 was the first cast member to pay tribute to June.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a photo of the star in character and sat on a staircase.
He wrote: "I’m lost for words, something June never was. So many memories, so much fun. Just purely and simply an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career, I was fortunate to have shared a small part of it.
"They never made you a Dame (we did try), but to me you will always be Dame Brown."
Danny Dyer, who plays pub landlord Mick Carter posted a photo of them on the soap set via Instagram.
He wrote: "Rest in peace June. So privileged to have graced the screen with ya. An icon in its truest form."
Former cast member and recent Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Maisie Smith, took to Instagram Stories where she shared an adorable photograph of herself with June as a child on the set of the soap.
The actress, who played Tiffany Butcher from 2008 until this year wrote: "Beautiful inside and out. Rest in peace June Brown."
Jake Wood, who played Max Branning from 2006 until 2021, shared a photo of June on set at EastEnders in an Instagram tribute of his own.
He wrote: "RIP June. Here she is on set in her element. A true pro and Eastenders legend. Lucky to have met and worked with her, I’ll always remember her kindness and the many laughs."
Actor Stephen Fry said June will be remembered as "a tireless and fearless LGBT ally."
He tweeted: "June Brown, amongst all her other wonderful human qualities and achievements, will be remembered as a tireless and fearless LGBT ally- especially during the darkest days of HIV/ AIDS and Section 28... it was a privilege to know her."
Actor and playwright Danny Lee Wynter penned: "When I was a kid I wrote to June Brown saying I wanted to be an actor. A signed postcard came back from Elstree with the words ‘Don’t do it’ written on it. We’ve lost one of the greats. RIP June Brown."
The official BAFTA account paid tribute, writing: "We're deeply saddened to hear of the death of June Brown, who played one of EastEnders' longest-running and much-loved characters, Dot Cotton, and who was nominated for a BAFTA in 2009. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time."
Spandau Ballet member Martin Kemp, who played Steve Owen on the soap, called the actress a "huge inspiration." Kemp wrote in a Tweet: "June Brown... I was such a very small part of your 35 years at EastEnders but you were a massive part of my time there. Such a huge inspiration. He added: "I am so glad our paths crossed."
EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal tweeted: "A very sad day. I never had the pleasure of meeting/working with the mighty June Brown - but we adored watching her on the telly box. What a legacy June leaves behind.
"#Eastenders would not have been the same without her. Love & strenght to #Eastenders & June's loved ones. RIP"
Comedian Mo Gilligan added: "RIP June Brown honestly this woman’s career was amazing. If you grew up in an estate there was always a Dot Cotton. Absolute iconic character in Eastender".
On Instagram, Jacqueline Jossa, who played Lauren Branning from 2006 until 2018, wrote: "I am so heartbroken. You will be so missed. Sharing the screen with you, a family with you, was a dream come true, something I will never ever forget.
"Most of all though, your stories, your humour and just such calming words when I needed them. You made my joining the show so welcoming.
Milly Zero, who has played June's on-screen granddaughter, Dotty Cotton, since 2019, wrote on Instagram: "I have never met anyone who cared about their craft so deeply.
"An artist, a national treasure, an icon & an inspiration to us all. She will always live on in the hearts of everybody she touched. There will never be anyone quite like June.
Charlie Brooks, who has played EastEnders villain Janine Butcher, since 1999, shared a photo of June on a red carpet.
She wrote via Instagram: "True icon. What a character. What an actress. What a woman. You will be missed. Rest in peace June."
Natalie Cassidy, who has played Sonia Jackson since 1993, also paid tribute via Instagram Stories, sharing Adam Woodyatt's tribute.
She added a caption reading: "What a beautiful picture. My dear friend" along with a broken heart emoji.
Charlie Clement's played June's on-screen grandson, Bradley Branning, for four years from 2006 until 2010.
He paid tribute to June by sharing a photo of her on his Instagram page and the caption: "Goodnight Grandma Dorothy."
Former EastEnders star Davood Ghamdami tweeted: "Super-professional. Always brilliant. True legend. RIP June."
Dean Gaffney, who played Robbie Jackson on the soap from 1993 until 2019 also paid tribute via Instagram Stories, writing: "RIP you truly truly amazing legend."
Danniella Westbrook, who played Sam Mitchell in EastEnders said her heart was broken following the news.
She wrote in a Tweet: "My hearts broken… good bye my darling June brown xxx."
Dot Cotton's presence in the soap was so great that BBC bosses took the bold move to base an entire episode of the Soap solely focusing on Dot's life.
The episode entitled Pretty Baby aired on 31 January 2008 and was watched by 8.86 million viewers.
Critics sited at the time that any other actress would have been able to pull of the monologue.
She was also acknowledged by BAFTA for Best Actress in the 2009 awards for her performance.
In a career that spanned decades, June also appeared on stage as well as screen.
Her legendary tours of the Young and Old Vic Schools saw her play some of her most memorable parts and cement her acting credentials.
Her plays included An Inspector Calls , The Lion in Winter , A View from the Bridge , and numerous pantomimes.
It was at the Old Vic where June met her first husband John, who tragically took his own life in 1957 via home gas fire, seven years after the pair wed.
June wrote in her autobiography, titled Before The Year Dot, that she blamed herself for his death.
June felt guilty as she had left money for John to buy more gas to heat their home, and questions if life would have been different if she hadn’t made that choice.
She wrote: “I didn’t want to think that if I hadn’t left him the one and eight pence he wouldn’t have been able to do it.”
* You can leave a tribute and light a candle for June here
