The sad death of EastEnders actress June Brown has caused an outpouring of love for the seasoned Dot Cotton star. And it's a meeting between the Albert Square veteran and global popstar Lady Gaga which is just one of the moments that highlight the 95-year-old's status as an icon.
Appearing on The Graham Norton Show back in 2013, June sashayed on with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and bowled over the Bad Romance singer in an instant. Gaga was impressed by her style, fur coat and beehive with pearls, and told the soap star: "I am a really big fan of yours. You are so fabulously dressed. I am honoured to be sitting next to you,"
Lady Gaga went on to pick up her fellow guest's glass of wine, commenting: "I want to drink from your cup to see what those genes are." In 2019, June revealed how kind Lady Gaga was to her behind-the-scenes, telling the Daily Star: "She was so funny, intelligent and down to earth, but when she went in front of the press, you could see her put the Gaga persona on."
Read more: EastEnders star June Brown, who played Dot Cotton, dies aged 95
The Poker Face singer was so invested in her new friendship that she even invited June on a night out in London. "She saw me sitting on my own and came back, dropped the whole Gaga thing and invited me to a nightclub," June revealed. "Sadly I couldn't make it, but I thought what a charming and talented girl."
June died on Sunday, April 3, as revealed in a statement from her family which said: "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."
An EastEnders spokeswoman also said: "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 2,884 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."
