Losing a legend
Soapland and the nation are mourning the loss of June Brown, who has died aged 95, with her family by her side. The actor, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton on Eastenders for 35 years, and appeared in 2,884 episodes of the show, passed away at her home in Surrey. The star – who was born in 1927 and served in the Army as a Wren – had some of the most memorable storylines in soapland. Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale on the soap, paid tribute, saying: ‘I’m lost for words, something June never was. So many memories, so much fun… an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career.’