EastEnders star June Brown, best known for her role as Dot Cotton, has died at the age of 95.
Her family revealed they were “deeply saddened” to tell the world their “beloved mother” had died.
She died peacefully at her home in Surrey on Sunday, her family said.
The statement from Brown’s family read: “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.”
The actress was a fan favourite on EastEnders for three decades before she left in 2020.
She arrived on Albert Square shortly after the soap began in 1985.
Over the three decades, she only had a break between 1993 and 1997 from the show.
EastEnders bosses paid tribute to the star who they said was “loved and adored by everyone” on set.
An EastEnders spokeswoman 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.”
Many of her co-stars have begun sharing glowing tributes about the star on social media.
Her biggest EastEnders storylines included tackling issues such as euthanasia, cancer and homophobia.
Brown had starred on Coronation Street, Doctor Who, Minder and The Bill as well as costume dramas The Duchess Of Duke Street and Oliver Twist before she landed her iconic role on EastEnders.
She also served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service at the end of the Second World War.
Then the actress left to train at London’s Old Vic Theatre School in Lambeth before embarking on her successful acting career.
Over the years, she was nominated and bestowed with a number of glittering awards for her role as Dot Cotton including a lifetime achievement honour at the 2005 British Soap Awards.
She was nominated for the Best Actress prize at the TV Baftas for her standalone episode of the soap in 2009.
Recognised for her services to drama and to charity, Brown was made an OBE in the New Year Honours in December 2021.
Previously, she had been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008 for services to drama and charity.
In her personal life, Brown married her first husband John Garley in 1950.
After he died, she went onto marry actor Robert Arnold in 1958 and they had six children.
