Tributes have poured in for legendary EastEnders actress June Brown best known for playing Dot Cotton in the Walford soap from 1985 to 2020. The BBC announced the iconic soap star had died at her home in Surrey on Sunday, April 3 surrounded by her family.
Since the news broke tributes have been pouring in for the star from celebrities, MPs and EastEnders cast both past and present. A heartfelt tribute was also released by an EastEnders spokesperson which added there were "not enough words" to describe just how much the actress was loved by the cast and crew.
The BBC EastEnders Twitter accounts released an emotional statement to soap fans which read: "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 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 - we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory. Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has also paid tribute to the EastEnders star saying she was a “true national treasure”. “There was nobody quite like June Brown. She captured the zeitgeist of British culture like no other in her many years on our screens. Today we’ve lost a true national treasure but my goodness what a life she has led. Rest in peace.”
Tributes have also started to come in from past and present EastEnders cast members. On Instagram Danny Dyer shared: "Rest in peach June. So privileged to have graced the screen with ya. An icon in its truest form." and Adam Woodyatt best known for starring as Ian Beale up until 2021, posted: “I’m lost for words, something June never was. So many memories, so much fun. Just purely and simply an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career, I was fortunate to have shared a small part of it. They never made you a Dame (we did try), but to me you will always be Dame Brown."
Davood Ghadami, who played Kush Kazemi in the soap, tweeted: "Super-professional. Always brilliant. True legend. RIP June". James Alexandrou best known for playing Martin Fowler from 1996 to 2007 in the BBC One soap opera also tweeted: "What a privilege to have known you, even for a little bit. The first compliment on acting came from June (I was 11, had about half a line of dialogue) Always in character- l always looked forward to being in scenes with June Brown. All my love to June's family and friends."
Meanwhile June's onscreen granddaughter Milly Zero who is currently playing Dotty Cotton, shared a touching tribute to "a national treasure". She posted: "Rest in perfect peace ‘Grandma Dot’. I have never met anyone who cared about their craft so deeply. An artist, a national treasure, an icon & an inspiration to us all. You will always live on in the hearts of everybody you touched. There will never be anyone quite like June".
Natalie Cassidy has also paid tribute to the soap icon: "I am so sad to hear the news about My June. She taught me everything I know. We laughed, we drank red wine, we learnt lines. She told me all her stories which I will keep close to my heart forever and she knew all of mine. We have lost a legend and the best character actress EastEnders has ever seen and will ever see. I will miss her so much."
Comedian, broadcaster and former drag queen Paul O'Grady has also paid tribute to the actress, posting a photo of himself with June. In the caption he wrote: "Gutted to hear about the passing of June Brown. Here we are Donkeys years ago at The Kings Head in Islington watching Sally Lindsay in a play.
"A great actress and a lovely human being. I’ve still not got over the phone call I got off her when I was at the Palladium telling me that she had two rescue donkeys for me and where did I want them? My sympathy and love go out to her family."
Comedian Mo Gilligan tweeted: RIP June Brown honestly this woman’s career was amazing. If you grew up in an estate there was always a Dot Cotton. Absolute iconic character in EastEnders"
