EastEnders veteran June Brown has died aged 95.
June played the iconic character Dot Cotton who was one of the longest-running characters in the soap and complete fan favourite.
She first played Dot in 1985, which was the year EastEnders was created.
She remained in the soap until 1993 and returned to her role of Dot in 1997 up until 2020.
The BBC confirmed the sad news with a statement.
They 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."
In January 2008 June became the first and only soap actor to carry an entire episode by herself.
She was originally recommended for the role by cast member Leslie Grantham, who played Walford's villain Dirty Den.
Her character Dot ran Walford's laundrette and was rarely seen without a cigarette in her hand.
Before she stepped foot in Walford, she appeared briefly in rival soap Coronation Street.
Speaking on Distinct Nostalgia podcast after the news of her retirement, she said: “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.”
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