June Brown obit

 

June Brown: EastEnders' Dot Cotton dies aged 95

She was not on the list.

Actress June Brown, who played the much-loved character Dot Cotton on EastEnders for more than three decades, has died at the age of 95.

Her family said they were "deeply saddened" to announce that their "beloved mother" had died "very peacefully" at her home on Sunday.

EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt described her as an "incredible woman".

Dot Cotton was one of the BBC soap's longest-running characters and a favourite with viewers.

Brown first appeared in the series in 1985, the year EastEnders was created.

She stayed until 1993, returning to play the same character from 1997 until 2020.

An EastEnders spokesperson 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."

After Brown's death was announced, many fans began sharing their favourite TV moment of hers - when the actress met Lady Gaga on the BBC's Graham Norton show.

One of EastEnders' best-known stars, Brown was in her late 50s when she joined Albert Square.

Actor Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den, suggested her for the role. Until then, Brown's career had incorporated stage, film and television, with appearances in Coronation Street and Doctor Who.

Some of her biggest storylines included Nasty Nick's murder plot, when her son, played by John Altman, planned to poison her so he could steal her big bingo winnings to use on drugs. He changed his mind at the last minute.

One of her most moving and controversial moments came when her close friend Ethel, who was terminally ill, asked Dot to help her take an overdose of morphine to end her life.

Dot wrestled with her Christian beliefs but ultimately decided to leave out morphine pills for Ethel to take.

Her relationship with husband Jim Branning, played by the late John Bardon, was much cherished by fans of the soap.

Brown remained a favourite with viewers for years, but during a podcast interview in February 2020, she confirmed that she had left the series "for good".

In the last episode she featured in, Dot Cotton - or Dot Branning - left a voicemail message for another character, Sonia Fowler, saying she had moved to Ireland.

Following the news of Brown's death, Woodyatt - who played Ian Beale in the soap for 35 years - said in a statement: "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."

Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale in the BBC soap, said: "I'm truly heartbroken by this news. June Brown OBE, MBE, was an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress. I shared many scenes with her over the years and she was always someone I looked up to and learnt from. There will never be another June Brown and I'm sending all my love to her family."

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said Brown 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," she said.

"Today we've lost a true national treasure but my goodness what a life she has led. Rest in peace."

EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said Brown was an "iconic" character both on and off screen.

The BBC's director-general Tim Davie said: "June Brown was a brilliantly talented actor who was loved by millions. Her performances as the incomparable Dot Cotton delivered some of the most memorable moments in soap history."

"Our thoughts are with her family and many friends."

After she left the soap, Brown starred in a Christmas drama podcast in December 2020 as part of a series about family separation during the pandemic.

She played the mother of a son with Down's syndrome in the play, which explored the strains of the mother-son relationship during enforced isolation.

Other tributes were paid by former EastEnders star and activist Michael Cashman, who played the UK's first gay character in a soap opera, Colin Russell.

He wrote: "She took this country on an amazing journey and changed it for the better."

Cashman has previously spoken about how Brown helped him get time off rehearsals so he could go to an anti-Section 28 protest in London in 1988.

Actor and writer Stephen Fry also said Brown will be remembered "as a tireless and fearless LGBT ally".

He tweeted: "June Brown, amongst all her other wonderful human qualities and achievements, will be remembered as a tireless and fearless LGBT ally - especially during the darkest days of HIV/AIDS and Section 28... it was a privilege to know her."

Comedian Mo Gilligan also posted on Twitter: "If you grew up on an estate there was always a Dot Cotton. Absolute iconic character in EastEnders."

Actress (80 credits)

 -2020 EastEnders (TV Series)

Dot / Dot Branning / Dot Cotton / ...

- Episode dated 21 January 2020 (2020) ... Dot Branning

- Episode dated 20 January 2020 (2020) ... Dot Branning

- Episode dated 17 January 2020 (2020) ... Dot Branning

- Episode dated 16 January 2020 (2020) ... Dot Branning

- Episode dated 1 January 2020 (2020) ... Dot Branning

Show all 2,371 episodes

 2017 Love is the Only Law (Music Video)

June Brown

 2017 Dead Lucky (Short)

Old Lady

 2016 Spidarlings

June

 2016 Ethel & Ernest

Ernest's Stepmother (voice)

 2016 Doomwatch (TV Series)

Mrs. Catchpole

- Sex and Violence (2016) ... Mrs. Catchpole

 2013 Heading Out (TV Series)

Sozzie

- Episode #1.5 (2013) ... Sozzie

 2011 EastEnders: E20 (TV Series)

Dot

- Episode #3.1 (2011) ... Dot

 2006 The Children's Party at the Palace (TV Special)

Aunt Spiker (James and the Giant Peach)

 2003 Children in Need (TV Series)

Dot Branning

- Episode #1.24 (2003) ... Dot Branning

 2003 Margery and Gladys (TV Movie)

Gladys Gladwell

 2003 EastEnders: Dot's Story (TV Movie)

Dot Cotton

 2000 Gormenghast (TV Mini Series)

Nannie Slagg

- Episode #1.3 (2000) ... Nannie Slagg

- Episode #1.2 (2000) ... Nannie Slagg

- Episode #1.1 (2000) ... Nannie Slagg

 1998 Verdict (TV Series)

Amelia Sayers

- Neighbours from Hell (1998) ... Amelia Sayers

 1997 Toby the Square Boy (Short) (voice)

 1997 The Lily Savage Show (TV Series)

June Brown

- Episode #1.2 (1997) ... June Brown

 1997 Ain't Misbehavin' (TV Mini Series)

Mrs Jilkes

- Episode #1.2 (1997) ... Mrs Jilkes

- Episode #1.1 (1997) ... Mrs Jilkes

 1997 Bean

Delilah

 1997 Hospital! (TV Movie)

Cleaner

 1995 Performance (TV Series)

Spinster

- Bed (1995) ... Spinster

 1994 Pirates (TV Series)

Mrs. Mildred Jones

- Episode #1.1 (1994) ... Mrs. Mildred Jones

 1992 The Mambo Kings

Portly Woman

 1988 Saturday Night Out (TV Series)

- Episode #1.1 (1988)

 1985 Oliver Twist (TV Mini Series)

Mrs. Mann

- Episode #1.1 (1985) ... Mrs. Mann

 1985 Relative Strangers (TV Series)

Agnes

- Episode #1.12 (1985) ... Agnes

- Episode #1.8 (1985) ... Agnes

 1984 The Bill (TV Series)

Mrs. Doleman

- Clutching at Straws (1984) ... Mrs. Doleman

 1984 Minder (TV Series)

Joany

- Hypnotising Rita (1984) ... Joany

 1983-1984 Now and Then (TV Series)

Aunt Sadie

- Episode #2.6 (1984) ... Aunt Sadie

- Episode #2.5 (1984) ... Aunt Sadie

- Episode #2.4 (1984) ... Aunt Sadie

- Episode #2.3 (1984) ... Aunt Sadie

- Episode #2.2 (1984) ... Aunt Sadie

Show all 13 episodes

 1984 Misunderstood

Mrs. Paley

 1984 Lace (TV Mini Series)

Mrs. Trelawney

- Episode #1.2 (1984) ... Mrs. Trelawney

- Episode #1.1 (1984) ... Mrs. Trelawney

 1983 Shades of Darkness (TV Series)

Emma Saxon

- The Lady's Maid's Bell (1983) ... Emma Saxon

 1982 Saturday Night Thriller (TV Series)

Sheila Heron

- Broken Glass (1982) ... Sheila Heron

 1982 Young at Heart (TV Series)

Lizzie

- Food, Glorious Food (1982) ... Lizzie

 1982 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (TV Movie)

Woman in cathedral (uncredited)

 1981 Rules of Justice (TV Movie)

Nell Lattimore

 1971-1981 Play for Today (TV Series)

June / Brenda / Melanie / ...

- Sorry (1981) ... June

- Ladies (1980) ... Brenda

- Instant Enlightenment Including VAT (1980) ... Melanie

- Highway Robbery (1973) ... Hilda

- Edna, the Inebriate Woman (1971) ... Clara, in Psychiatric Hospital

 1980 God's Wonderful Railway (TV Series)

Elsie Grant

- Fire on the Line - Part 3 (1980) ... Elsie Grant

- Fire on the Line - Part 2 (1980) ... Elsie Grant

- Fire on the Line - Part 1 (1980) ... Elsie Grant

 1980 Nijinsky

Maria Stepanova

 1979 Border Country (TV Series)

Mrs. Joy

- The Shining Pyramid (1979) ... Mrs. Joy

 1979 Murder by Decree

Anne Chapman

 1978 Shadows (TV Series)

Mrs. Donn

- The Rose of Puddle Fratrum (1978) ... Mrs. Donn

 1977 A Christmas Carol (TV Movie)

Mrs. Dilber

 1977 Crown Court (TV Series)

Mrs. Starferret

- An Upward Fall: Part 1 (1977) ... Mrs. Starferret

 1976-1977 The Duchess of Duke Street (TV Series)

Mrs. Leyton / Violet Leyton

- Poor Little Rich Girl (1977) ... Violet Leyton

- Where There's a Will (1977) ... Violet Leyton

- Family Matters (1977) ... Mrs. Leyton

- The Bargain (1976) ... Mrs. Leyton

- Honour and Obey (1976) ... Mrs. Leyton

Show all 6 episodes

 1977 Survivors (TV Series)

Susan

- Manhunt (1977) ... Susan

 1976 Clayhanger (TV Series)

Woman

- Fall from Glory (1976) ... Woman

 1976 Angels (TV Series)

Mrs. Fitch

- Round the Clock (1976) ... Mrs. Fitch

 1976 Couples (TV Series)

Mrs. Robinson

- Episode #1.63 (1976) ... Mrs. Robinson

- Episode #1.62 (1976) ... Mrs. Robinson

- Episode #1.61 (1976) ... Mrs. Robinson

 1976 The Prince and the Pauper (TV Series)

Mother Canty

- Episode #1.6 (1976) ... Mother Canty

- Episode #1.5 (1976) ... Mother Canty

- Episode #1.4 (1976) ... Mother Canty

- Episode #1.2 (1976) ... Mother Canty

- Episode #1.1 (1976) ... Mother Canty

 1975 Churchill's People (TV Series)

Agnes Paston

- A Wilderness of Roses (1975) ... Agnes Paston

 1975 The Sweeney (TV Series)

Mrs. Martin

- Ringer (1975) ... Mrs. Martin

 1974 South Riding (TV Mini Series)

Lily Sawdon

- The Number of Our Days (1974) ... Lily Sawdon

- Beggars and Choosers (1974) ... Lily Sawdon

- The Facts of Life (1974) ... Lily Sawdon

- A Time to Live and a Time to Die (1974) ... Lily Sawdon

 1974 Marked Personal (TV Series)

Flo Morris

- Episode #1.80 (1974) ... Flo Morris

- Episode #1.79 (1974) ... Flo Morris

 1974 Special Branch (TV Series)

Chrissy

- Entente Cordiale (1974) ... Chrissy

 1973-1974 Doctor Who (TV Series)

Eleanor

- The Time Warrior: Part Four (1974) ... Eleanor

- The Time Warrior: Part Three (1973) ... Eleanor

- The Time Warrior: Part Two (1973) ... Eleanor

- The Time Warrior: Part One (1973) ... Eleanor

 1973 Oranges & Lemons (TV Series)

Alice Penny

- Brenda (1973) ... Alice Penny

 1973 General Hospital (TV Series)

Sister Waters

- Episode #1.111 (1973) ... Sister Waters

 1969-1973 ITV Sunday Night Theatre (TV Series)

Mrs. Lowe / Betty / Nora / ...

- Free as a Bird (1973) ... Mrs. Lowe

- The Master and the Mask (1970) ... Betty

- Nora (1969) ... Nora

- Hazel and Her New Gas Cooker (1969) ... Dorothy

 1973 The Wild Little Bunch

The Mother

 1973 The Death Wheelers

Mrs. Pettibone

 1972 The Edwardians (TV Mini Series)

Eliza Bottomley

- Horatio Bottomley (1972) ... Eliza Bottomley

 1964-1972 Z Cars (TV Series)

Josie West / Mrs. Jenkins / Jill Bolton

- The Legacy (1972) ... Mrs. Jenkins

- Purely Medicinal Purposes: Part 2 (1971) ... Josie West

- Purely Medicinal Purposes: Part 1 (1971) ... Josie West

- Lucky Partners (1964) ... Jill Bolton

 1972 Armchair Theatre (TV Series)

Ruth Preston

- A Touch of the Victorians (1972) ... Ruth Preston

 1972 New Scotland Yard (TV Series)

Jean Strode

- Fire in a Honey Pot (1972) ... Jean Strode

 1972 Sitting Target

Lomart's Neighbour

 1971 Straw Dogs

Mrs. Hebden (uncredited)

 1971 Owen, M.D. (TV Series)

Alice Lynch

- Where There's Smoke, Part 2 (1971) ... Alice Lynch

- Where There's Smoke, Part 1 (1971) ... Alice Lynch

 1971 Sunday Bloody Sunday

Woman Patient

 1970-1971 Coronation Street (TV Series)

Mrs. Parsons

- Episode #1.1051 (1971) ... Mrs. Parsons

- Episode #1.1050 (1971) ... Mrs. Parsons

- Episode #1.999 (1970) ... Mrs. Parsons

 1965-1969 Dixon of Dock Green (TV Series)

Brenda Walker / Ruth / Mrs. Crouch / ...

- Exclusive Story (1969) ... Brenda Walker

- The Trojan Horse (1968) ... Ruth

- Guilty People (1966) ... Mrs. Crouch

- The Man Who Was Going to Die (1965) ... Waitress

- The Night of the Fog (1965) ... Miss Clark

 1968 Inadmissible Evidence

Watson's Guest

 1965-1966 The Wednesday Play (TV Series)

Mrs. Wentworth / Emma

- Way Off Beat (1966) ... Mrs. Wentworth

- The Seven O'Clock Crunch (1965) ... Emma

 1964 Armchair Mystery Theatre (TV Series)

Linda

- The Lonely Crime (1964) ... Linda

 1963-1964 ITV Play of the Week (TV Series)

Yvonne Carter / Madge Bailey

- Gina (1964) ... Yvonne Carter

- The Buried Man (1963) ... Madge Bailey

 1963 Teletale (TV Series)

Tina Farrell

- The Black Madonna (1963) ... Tina Farrell

 1960-1962 ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series)

Nellie / Edwina Lewis / Mrs. Napper / ...

- Nuncle (1962) ... Nellie

- A Diabolic Liberty (1961) ... Edwina Lewis

- Nannie (1961) ... Mrs. Napper

- The Essay Prize (1960) ... Eileen Poddy

- Night Run to the West (1960) ... Alice

1959 The Rough and Ready Lot (TV Movie)

Chica

 1958 Television World Theatre (TV Series)

Woman of Troy

- Women of Troy (1958) ... Woman of Troy

 1957 The Case of the Frightened Lady (TV Movie)

Aisla Crane

 1952 It Started in Paradise

Announcer (uncredited)