Sad news for fans of Dot Cotton on EastEnders, as veteran actress June Brown, confirms she has left after 35 years. June Brown, 93, made a sad announcement during a recent interview with the Distinct Nostalgia podcast. The interview was held during a special episode to celebrate the 35th anniversary of EastEnders.
Brown said she has left the role of Dot Cotton on EastEnders “for good.” The veteran soap actress has played one of the longest-running characters on the BBC soap and is a firm fan favorite.
Dot Brown leaves Albert Square for good – Dot hasn’t been seen on the BBC soap since January and the last we saw of her was when she left a voice message for Sonia Fowler, telling her she was moving to Ireland.
Rani Singh, a former co-star who was interviewing June, asked if she was on a retainer with EastEnders, to which she replied that she doesn’t want a retainer, saying she has left for good and is not returning. The way she put it was that she has sent herself to Ireland and that is where Dot will stay.
About June Brown and EastEnders – June joined EastEnders when it started in 1985 when she was in her late 50s and is one of the best-known stars of the soap. She was suggested for the role by Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den. Up until then, Brown had worked in stage and film and had a number of appearances on television in Doctor Who and Coronation Street.
She told the podcast she got the role of Dot because they thought she was a “punctual actress,” because she was always there an hour before she needed to be. June did admit she was feeling a little down recently and asked herself what the matter was, why does she feel so sad. She said it is because she has played two people at the same time for 35 years. Although Dot wasn’t actually her, June said she probably was spiritual.
June did take a break for four years between 1993 and 1997. However, in 2008, Brown was made an MBE for her services to charity and drama. Obviously, 93 is a remarkable age to still be working, but June did reveal last year that she is losing her sight due to age-related macular degeneration. She said she was having problems recognizing her friends.
While June has officially left EastEnders, a spokesman for the BBC soap did say that as far as they are concerned, the door is always open for June. If a suitable storyline arises and Brown wishes to take part, she is always welcome to return.