Paul O’Grady shared a fond memory of June Brown after it was announced the soap legend had died.
The Birkenhead -born TV presenter said he was left feeling “gutted” after learning his friend had passed away at the age of 95. June's cause of death has yet to be made known.
Sharing to his 668,000 followers, the 66-year-old former drag queen penned: “Gutted to hear about the passing of June Brown. Here we are Donkeys years ago at The Kings Head in Islington watching Sally Lindsay in a play. ( the colour of my hair…) I’d given up the fags but June insisted on blowing smoke in my mouth to ‘cheer you up, dear’.
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"She played a stripper in the Lily Savage show along with Gabby Roslyn and the late Bella Emberg and she was brilliant. A great actress and a lovely human being. I’ve still not got over the phone call I got off her when I was at the Palladium telling me that she had two rescue donkeys for me and where did I want them? My sympathy and love go out to her family."
Replying to a comment under the post, the comedian added: “She was such a character. There’s not many left like June who spoke her mind and didn’t give a damn. I was mad for her.”
The actress died at her home in Surrey on Sunday. Her family said they are deeply saddened, and have asked that their privacy be respected. An EastEnders spokesperson said the entire cast and crew were "deeply saddened" at her passing. June had appeared in a staggering 2,884 episodes over the years.
