June Brown: EastEnders star famous for playing Dot Cotton dies aged 95 - what else was she known for?

Actress June Brown, who was known for her role as Dot Cotton on BBC’s EastEnders, has died aged 95.

In a statement, Brown’s family said they were “deeply saddened” to announce that their “beloved mother” had passed away.

They announced the actress died peacefully at her Surrey home on Sunday evening, with her family by her side.

An EastEnders spokesperson shared a tribute to Brown, saying: “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”.

Who was June Brown?

June Brown was born on February 16 1927 in Suffolk.

She began her television acting career in 1957 when she starred in The Case of the Frightened Lady.

Brown initially starred in small roles such as Mrs Parsons in Coronation Street and Dixon of Dock Green.

The actress then joined the cast of EastEnders in 1985 after original cast member Leslie Grantham recommended her for the role.

Brown joined Albert Square the year it was created, and brought to life the character Dot Cotton.

The laundrette assistant - who’s real name was Dorothy Branning - became one of the soap’s longest-running characters and made the actress a firm favourite with viewers.

Brown was in her late 50s when she joined the cast and stayed with the show until 2020, but took a break from her role between 1993 and 1997.

In 2005, the actress won a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards for her role in EastEnders.

She was awarded an MBE in 2008 as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her services to drama and charity.

In 2015, Brown announced that her eyesight was failing with a condition called macular degeneration.

Following this news, in 2016, the EastEnders writers introduced a storyline for Dot Cotton on the show which mirrored her real life health problems.

In 2020, aged 93, Brown announced she would be stepping down from her 35-year role in the BBC soap, after appearing in 2884 episodes.

Brown appeared on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast shortly after the announcement and said: “I don’t want a retainer for EastEnders, I’ve left. I’ve left for good.”

The Queen then awarded Brown an MBE in 2021 in the New Year Honours as a recognition of her work to drama and charity.

Brown was married twice during her life, first in 1950 to John Garley who took his own life in 1957.

The actress then remarried in 1958 to actor Robert Arnold and the couple had six children together.

What did June Brown’s family statement say?

In a statement released by Brown’s family, they 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."

What did the BBC EastEnders statement say?

A statement released by the BBC on the official EastEnders Twitter account 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 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.”

Who else has paid tribute to June Brown?

Celebrities have taken to Twitter to share their condolences on Brown’s death.

Actress Milly Zero who plays Dotty Cotton on EastEnders told her Twitter followers: “Rest in perfect peace ‘Grandma Dot’. I have never met anyone who cared about their craft so deeply. There will never be anyone quite like June.”

Tony Clay, who plays Callum Highway on the soap, also shared his condolences with his fans, saying: “An absolute icon & powerhouse of a woman RIP June Brown x.”

Ricky Champ, known for his role as Stuart Highway, said: “Really hard not to completely love her. A force of nature. RIP dear June.”

Actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry told his fans: “It was a privilege to know her”