Kentish Express Ashford & District
EastEnders’ Dot Cotton actress June dies aged 95
She campaigned to save town’s Leas Pavilion
EastEnders actress June Brown, who used to work at Leas Pavilion in Folkestone and helped the fight to save the building, has died aged 95.
Ms Brown played Dot Cotton for more than three decades in the TV soap and became a household name after her debut in Albert Square in 1985.
She lived in Folkestone for many years when she was with her second husband and used to work at the Leas Pavilion.
In 2016 she helped Friends of the Leas Pavilion drum up thousands of pounds to protect the building.
Then in 2018, she lent her name in a campaign to save it when renewed plans to transform it into a health club and flats were announced.
In a statement, Ms Brown’s family 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.
An EastEnders spokesperson has 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 but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory.
“Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten.”
The veteran actress, who had a long career in television and theatre, arrived on Albert Square shortly after the soap began in 1985, and aside from a break between 1993 and 1997, was a regular for more than three decades.
She announced the news of her exit from EastEnders in 2020 with little fanfare, revealing her decision on a podcast with a former co-star.
In 2008, she single-handedly starred in an episode called Pretty Baby, in which she spoke to a cassette recorder about her life so that her husband could listen to it as he lay in hospital following a stroke.
Before joining EastEnders she
had roles in Coronation Street, Doctor Who, Minder and The Bill, as well as costume dramas The Duchess Of Duke Street and Oliver Twist.
Ms Brown won several awards for her portrayal of Dot, including a lifetime achievement honour at the 2005 British Soap Awards.
In 2007, EastEnders filmed a special Easter episode all about Dot’s life in locations across Kent.
The production chose to film at Stansted near West Kingsdown, St. Giles Church in Wormshill, The Ringlestone Inn near Harrietsham, and Court Lodge Farm in Dartford.
Previously known as the Leas Club, the pavilion was built in 1902 and has previously hosted a tea room, theatre, night club, cinema and snooker hall.
It closed for the last time in 2007 and fell into major disrepair. In 2020, Gustavia Ltd took over the site and are currently overhauling it.
A nine-storey tower block will be built above the sunken Leas Pavilion and include 91 apartments with sea views.