EastEnders pay special tribute to June Brown by recreating Dot’s first scene

Virgin Radio

5 Jul 2022, 11:54

EastEnders marked the anniversary of June Brown’s first appearance as Dot Cotton by recreating her very first scene.

The recreation that aired last night (4 July) showed Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) entering the café wearing a brown coat and saying: “Give us a tea Kath, and a glass of water so I can take a paracetamol.”

It is almost exactly the same as Dot’s first appearance, which aired 37 years ago in 1985, where he walks into the café also wearing a brown coat and telling George ‘Lofty’ Holloway (Tom Watt): “Give us a tea, Lofty, and a glass of water so I can take a paracetamol.”

You can watch the scenes side-by-side below:

This comes after it was announced June Brown had sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 95 after appearing on the legendary BBC soap since 1985.

Her character Dot became one of the show’s longest-running characters and became a staple of Walford Square, capturing the hearts of British viewers with her distinctive hairstyle, love for chain-smoking and strong Christian beliefs.

At the time of her death, Eastenders released a statement that read: "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 but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June's memory. Rest in peace our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."