Members of the EastEnders cast have paid tribute to June Brown as “an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career”, after her death aged 95.
Brown played the chain-smoking Dot Cotton in the BBC One soap for more than 30 years.
Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale in the show, hailed Brown as “an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress”.
She said: “I’m truly heartbroken by this news. June Brown OBE, MBE, was an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress.
1/3“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… pic.twitter.com/7OYtHJiIUb
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) April 4, 2022
“I shared many scenes with her over the years and she was always someone I looked up to and learnt from.
“There will never be another June Brown and I’m sending all my love to her family.”
Adam Woodyatt, who plays Taylforth’s on-screen son Ian Beale, also paid tribute to the actress, who died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side.
He said: “I’m lost for words, something June never was.
“So many memories, so much fun. Just purely and simply an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career, I was fortunate to have shared a small part of it.
“They never made you a Dame (we did try), but to me you will always be Dame Brown.”
Patsy Palmer, known for her portrayal of Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, posted a selection of images of Brown to her Instagram, captioned: “Oh June, what words can I say about such a wonderful woman!!!! I honestly thought you would be here forever.
“Such a BRILLIANT ACTRESS!!!!! YOU ARE EASTENDERS! Such an ICON and so much fun to work with. I loved working on scenes with you.
“Your silence, your clever delivery of even the most terrible scripts, I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU. You brought joy to so many for many years.
“June I love you have a safe transition. Barbara Is surely waiting for you to take care of you up there. RIP you beautiful woman. You always get the award for best actress in my book.
“Stunning, professional to the core! A true actress from those wonderful days of inspiration for the younger generation that wanted to act. I loved your story’s (sic).
“Always had a fag hanging out your mouth but you wouldn’t be you without it.”
Letitia Dean, best known as Sharon Watts, said: “My beloved June, I truly loved you. Not just a phenomenal actress but a very dear friend.
“Oh the fun we have had over the years! I will never stop loving you, THANK YOU for your kindness and your generosity and for loving me the way you did.
“Sending all my dearest love to June’s family at this devastating time. God bless you June.”
Danny Dyer, who played Mick Carter in the soap until this year, posted an image of himself and Brown in EastEnders with the caption: “Rest in peace June. So privileged to have graced the screen with ya. An icon in its truest form.”
Milly Zero, who plays Brown’s on-screen granddaughter Dotty Cotton, also expressed her love and respect for Brown, describing her as a “national treasure”.
Zero, 22, tweeted: “Rest in perfect peace ‘Grandma Dot’. I have never met anyone who cared about their craft so deeply.
“An artist, a national treasure, an icon & an inspiration to us all. You will always live on in the hearts of everybody you touched. There will never be anyone quite like June.”
Rest in perfect peace ‘Grandma Dot’. I have never met anyone who cared about their craft so deeply. An artist, a national treasure, an icon & an inspiration to us all. You will always live on in the hearts of everybody you touched. There will never be anyone quite like June 💜 https://t.co/MW0H6SAm6H pic.twitter.com/nd1zHZjuyp
— Milly Zero (@millyzero) April 4, 2022
Jake Wood, who played Max Branning in the soap for 15 years, shared a behind the scenes image of Brown on the EastEnders set, with the caption: “RIP June. Here she is on set in her element. A true pro and EastEnders legend.
“Lucky to have met and worked with her, I’ll always remember her kindness and the many laughs.”
EastEnders executive producer, Chris Clenshaw, said: “When you join EastEnders, there are some characters both on and off screen that are just iconic and June Brown, OBE, MBE is at the top of that list.
“Her creation and portrayal of Dot Cotton made a huge impact in British television, she created iconic moments that not only entertained the nation but at times changed it a little for the better.
“I had the pleasure of working with June when I was the story producer and when you have the talent such as June Brown to work with, you always knew it was going to be magic.
“I speak for us all at EastEnders when I say that today is a very sad day as June Brown was a truly special and unforgettable woman. We send our deepest sympathies to June’s family.”
Brown’s character was involved in a number of hard-hitting storylines, exploring themes of cancer, assisted suicide and manslaughter.
BBC director general Tim Davie said: “June Brown was a brilliantly talented actor who was loved by millions.
“Her performances as the incomparable Dot Cotton delivered some of the most memorable moments in soap history.
“June was hugely loved by the cast and crew and she will always hold a special place in the public’s affections. Our thoughts are with her family and many friends.”