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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rose Hill

June Brown's final EastEnders episode as legendary Dot Cotton actress dies aged 95

For 35 years, June Brown cemented her role as the iconic chain-smoking laundrette worker EastEnders fans know and love.

Sadly, on Sunday 3rd April, June died aged 95 at her home in Surrey, with her family by her side.

Her great sense of humour and warmth brought Dot to life as her character gossiped, struggled with her villainous son and tended to those in need.

Over the years, she was involved in a number of heart-wrenching and heartfelt stories, including Dot aiding the assisted suicide of her terminally ill best friend Ethel in 2000, which left her in turmoil as it contradicted her strict religious beliefs.

Dot's romance with Jim Branning was also adored by fans, but ended in heartbreak as Jim was left paralysed after having a stroke and later died.

June Brown's final EastEnders episode aired in January 2020 (BBC)

Her difficult relationship with her son Nick was present throughout her time in Walford but, upon his return in 2014, she gave him a fatal heroin overdose and he died in front of her.

Having appeared in 2884 episodes of the BBC soap, June decided to retire after her final episode aired on January 21 2020.

Dot had found out that someone had attempted to take £5,000 out of her bank account, but that they were unable to do so.

Her character Dot is deemed an EastEnders legend (Daily Mirror)

It was later revealed that it was actually Sonia who had tried to take the money, but she was later blackmailed by Martin Fowler, who was involved in a hit-and-run.

Despite Sonia later managing to successfully steal £8,000, Dot wrote her a blank check to pay for some baby clothes she bought for the baby that Charlie and his wife were expecting.

Dot went on to realise that the money was stolen and a guilt-ridden Sonia told Martin what she had done.

Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) and Dot (June) in 2005 (BBC)

Martin decided to take the rap and told Dot that he was the one who stole the money.

Sonia managed to convince Dot to visit Charlie again in Ireland, which is where she has been explained as being since she left the show.

After Dot left after some upset words to Sonia, the nurse discovered that her grandmother had left a note on her answering machine.

Her last words that were spoken on the soap were: "This is to tell you that I'm off to Ireland to live alongside my lovely grandson Charlie. I shall maybe help then, when the baby comes. I do know, Son, that Martin should never have taken that money. But you'll sort it out for me, won't you? You'll find out and let me know.

"Do remember, you're only at the other end of the phone lines, you know. So you can obviously get in touch and I shall miss you, and I shall always love you as I know you'll love me. So, goodbye my dearest girl, your loving grandma Dot."

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