EastEnders soap star June Brown dies at 95

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) - June Brown, one of Britain’s most famous soap stars who played Dot Cotton in EastEnders, died on Sunday at 95.

A spokeswoman for EastEnders said in a statement: "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."

Brown's family said in a statement: "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."

British Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: "There was nobody quite like June Brown.”

"She captured the zeitgeist of British culture like no other in her many years on our screens,” Dorries said. “Today we've lost a true national treasure but my goodness what a life she has led. Rest in peace."

Brown starred in the iconic British soap opera for 35 years, and won the love of fans for her portrayal of chain-smoking Dot Cotton.

She started on the show in 1985 shortly after its launch, only taking a break from the soap between 1993 and 1997. She left the show in 2020.

She also had an illustrious career outside EastEnders in television and theatre. She had roles in Coronation Street, Doctor Who, and Oliver Twist among others.

Brown won a number of awards through her career. For her portrayal of Dot Cotton, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the British Soap Awards in 2005, and the best actress award at the Baftas in 2009.

In 2008, she was made an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, and in 2021 was made an OBE as part of the New Year Honours. Both awards were for her services to drama and charity.

At the end of the Second World War she served in the Women’s Royal naval Service, and then trained at London’s Old Vic Theatre School.

Brown married twice, first to John Garley in 1950, and after his death to Robert Arnold in 1958, with whom she had six children.