It was already known that EastEnders June Brown was a true telly legend - but now her kindness to fans has also been uncovered.
The star died on Sunday aged 95, at home in Surrey surrounded by her family.
June, who played Albert Square's chain-smoking Dot Cotton for 35 years, made one young EastEnders fan's dreams' come true after he couldn't visit the set.
Soap fan Shaun was gutted to learn as a teen that the BBC didn't allow fans to visit the set.
Undeterred, Shaun, then aged 15, valiantly sent a disposable photo to June, asking her to take some behind-the-scenes photos.
Kindhearted June obliged - and gamely posed around Albert Square - before sending back the camera.
She even told Shaun that she "hoped they were ok", adding: "They were quite difficult to get."
Speaking to the Mirror, Shaun, of Birmingham, said: "I think it was probably about 25 years ago when I wrote to her, explaining how I'd love to visit Walford but with it not being possible, would she instead take some photos for me.
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"[It was so] kind of her to take time out of her day not only to snap them on the set in character but to also send it back with a photocard saying she hopes they are OK!"
He added: "I expected a response, but I didn't think she would actually pose in the photos herself.
"Looking back now I can see how much effort she went to in visiting each set when they were not in use and posing in character as Dot with her trademark handbag & cigarette.
"To send a signed photocard back with the camera saying she hopes they are OK was so thoughtful."
The photos capture June in the Queen Victoria Pub, Dot's house and Kathy's cafe.
Shaun said: "It certainly made my day, I was very surprised and honoured - I sent her a thank you note.
"A few years later I actually met her whilst she was in character as Dot - she was happy to stop & chat - such a kind down to earth lovely lady."
Shaun shared the photos on Twitter, which he thinks were taken around 1999 or 2000, after June's death - where they quickly went viral.
He wrote: “As a kid, gutted that EastEnders didn't do set tours, I sent June Brown a disposable camera and asked if she could snap some set pics for me instead - the kindnesses of her heart she took time out to snap these for me. What a legend.”
One person asked: “Now I need to know, did she send the camera back or did she have them developed and send them back?”
“Either way is amazing I just have a picture in my mind of her in the queue at Boots and my heart needs it.”
To which Shaun replied: “Ha, she sent the camera back, it was even more exciting waiting for it to be developed not knowing what I was going to find!”
Twitter users were left feeling emotional after they saw the photos, with many sharing their own memories of Dot.
One woman wrote: "That’s so lovely, haven’t watched Eastenders in a few years, but I suspect there are many many people who feel like she was a bit like their own grandma, really very sad."
Another soap fan added: "Favourite tweet of the day, what a lady. Thank you so much for sharing your memory."
A third commented: "How absolutely adorable. I'd heard June was always so lovely and this absolutely proves the point. What a wonderful gift from such a lovely lady."
Following her death, an EastEnders spokesperson said: "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 but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June's memory.
"Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
