Dot Cotton

A special episode of EastEnders will feature a funeral service for Dot Cotton, who was played by June Brown who passed away in April.

In 2015, when June began to suffer from macular degeneration which seriously affected her eyesight, it was written into Dot’s storyline, and the character also dealt with sight loss. Kathy Beale will also reckon with a difficult moment from her past. In December, her character was killed off-screen in the show, and this week Dot’s funeral episode will be aired, with former cast members returning.

Jake Wood as Max Branning, Declan Bennett as Charlie Cotton and Patsy Palmer as Bianca. BBC. By. Lewis Knight. Published: ...

[EastEnders](https://www.radiotimes.com/news/soaps/eastenders/) page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. [subscribe now](http://radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription?utm_term=evergreen-article). A close friend and surrogate son of Dot’s who lodged at her house. [EastEnders cast: Who is joining, leaving and returning to the soap?](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-cast/) [EastEnders biggest reveals since Sharongate](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-sharongate-queen-vic-reveals/) It was about being truthful to Dot's character and to who would be there." If you’re looking for more to watch, check out our [TV Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/) or [Streaming Guide](https://www.radiotimes.com/streaming-guide/), or visit our [Soaps](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/) hub. But it was about being authentic. [terms and conditions](https://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/) and [privacy policy](https://policies.immediate.co.uk/privacy/). A friend and lodger of Dot’s who was the girlfriend of Dot’s close and now deceased friend Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb (Ricky Norwood). [RadioTimes.com](https://www.radiotimes.com/) and other press. [EastEnders ](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/)tonight. [a number of old faces return](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/eastenders/eastenders-confirms-returning-characters-for-dot-brannings-funeral-full-list/) to the BBC One soap to pay their respects to Dot Branning (previously Cotton).

After actress June Brown passed away in April, aged 95, EastEnders' funeral episode was a perfect tribute to its most beloved character.

It served as a deeply affecting send-off to both the character and the actress. She sat in the darkened laundrette, so often Dot’s domain, to be alone with her memories. A reminder of the intimate role that good soap opera can play in viewers’ lives. [June Brown](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2022/04/04/june-brown-gifted-actress-carved-place-nations-hearts-dot-cotton/) passed away in April at the age of 95. The production took advantage of its new £87m set with aerial shots, gliding from Walford up to the heavens. An elegiac episode began with a wordless opening tracking shot – a living character didn’t speak until past the three-minute mark – as we respectfully entered Dot’s old house at No 25.

The actress, who plays Sonia Fowler on the BBC soap, described the upcoming poignant instalment as 'gentle'

She arrived on Albert Square shortly after the soap began in 1985. “It will be a real treat for people as it’s celebrating Dot and her life. “The audience has got time to think about Dot, and it is a proper send-off for her. She was nominated for the Best Actress prize at the TV Baftas for her standalone episode of the soap in 2009. It’s a slow-moving, gentle episode that’s got time to breathe. The soap icon also shared her gratitude to show producer, Chris Clenshaw, for letting her take the lead in the episode as her character delivers Cotton’s eulogy and admitted that it was great to see Sonia “at the heart of the show and have some emotional stuff to do”.

EastEnders has given Dot Cotton a memorable and pitch perfect send-off, with viewers flocking to social media to heap praise on the funeral episode for June ...

[Many old faces returned to pay respects to Dot](https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/08/eastenders-boss-confirms-more-returns-were-planned-for-dots-funeral-17905281/), including Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman), Mary ‘The Punk’ Smith (Linda Davidson), Lofty (Tom Watt), Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Disa O’Brien (Jan Graveson). [Jacqueline Jossa reveals hope for the future of Lauren and the Brannings in EastEnders](https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/11/jacqueline-jossa-on-hope-for-the-future-of-the-brannings-in-eastenders-17911174/?ico=more_text_links) [EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy reveals Dot Cotton’s ‘immaculate’ funeral episode is one of the best she has ever done](https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/12/eastenders-natalie-cassidy-dot-funeral-episode-is-one-of-my-best-ever-17848844/?ico=more_text_links) [when she meets with Dot’s great-nephew Reiss](https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/10/eastenders-jonny-freeman-reveals-all-on-reiss-who-will-romance-sonia-17910939/) (Jonny Freeman) and they hit it off. [Martin Fowler](https://metro.co.uk/tag/martin-fowler/?ico=auto_link_tv-soaps_P3_LNK1) ( [James Bye](https://metro.co.uk/tag/james-bye/?ico=auto_link_tv-soaps_P3_LNK2)) in the launderette that she didn’t know what to say. [Dot Cotton](https://metro.co.uk/tag/dot-cotton/?ico=auto_link_tv-soaps_P1_LNK1) a memorable and pitch perfect send-off, with viewers flocking to social media to heap praise on the funeral episode for [June Brown](https://metro.co.uk/tag/june-brown/?ico=auto_link_tv-soaps_P1_LNK2)’s legendary character.

EastEnders viewers have been left confused at the connection between Whitney Dean and Dot Branning as she joined the family to say goodbye to Dot's coffin ...

[Actor who played Kat Slater 'evil' fiancé Andy Hunter unrecognisable 20 years after Walford arrival](https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-actor-who-played-25707393) [EastEnders Little Mo legend Kacey Ainsworth's forgotten Call the Midwife role 8 years ago](https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/eastenders-little-mo-legend-kacey-25599027) [Here's what Kat Slater's forgotten eldest son Dermot Dolan looks like now](https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-heres-what-kat-25656346) [EastEnders fans have new wild theory that will see adored hunk return at Christmas](https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-new-wild-25705163) [EastEnders fans ecstatic as Sonia Fowler drops classic Dot Cotton one-liner](https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-fans-ecstatic-sonia-25690572) [ here.](https://www.mylondon.news/newsletter-preference-centre/) [EastEnders](https://www.mylondon.news/all-about/eastenders)". [BBC](https://www.mylondon.news/all-about/bbc) One soap were left wondering what relation Whitney is to Dot as the market stall holder was overcome with emotion at seeing her casket. EastEnders viewers have been left confused at the connection between Whitney Dean and Dot Branning as she joined the family to say goodbye to Dot's coffin in Thursday's episode (December 12). [EastEnders actor who played Dot's grandson Charlie Cotton is unrecognisable 5 years after leaving soap](https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bbc-eastenders-actor-who-played-25711000)

EASTENDERS stars gathered in Albert Square tonight as they bid farewell to one of the show's most iconic characters.In emotional scenes, Walford legen.

“I shall be able to help them when the baby comes. She was a "constant presence" who "always cared" for the people closest to her. He should be back for good." The 40-minute special episode is also available to watch on the [BBC iPlayer](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer). Bring him back soon EE." She was a “constant presence” who “always cared” for the people closest to her. While another said: "Ian Beale! One fan took to Twitter to say: "Ian Beale, Mr Eastenders himself. Dot was a 'class act' like the Queen A fitting tribute to the Walford legend. While Dot struggled to tell people she loved them, Sonia says it was always the most important thing for her. And fans all said the same thing as some of the biggest names in Walford history made a return to pay their respects to the soap legend, with the biggest surprise of all being Adam Woodyatt as Ian Beale!

Soap star June Brown had six children with her second husband, actor Robert Arnold, however tragedy struck the family and they sadly lost their daughter ...

Chris went on to say: "They got in touch with us after we shot the episode saying that they had an absolutely wonderful day, because the cast were reminiscing and sharing stories about June. He added: "Obviously EastEnders meant a lot to June and it was a big part of their lives too. I love my children but it was a lot of work.” Her children have gone on to enjoy their own successes in their respective careers. "I'm sure June won't mind us saying that when she was with us, she was adamant that she didn't want Dot to be killed off. After the untimely death of her first husband John Garley, June married the actor Robert Arnold and the couple shared six children, Sophie, Bill, Naomi, Louise and Chloe. The legendary character played by June, who graced our screens for over three decades, was honoured in an emotional tribute on Monday in a specially-extended episode of the BBC soap. Executive producer Chris Clenshaw commented: "This is a very special episode for us. But, inside, my heart was breaking. So they approached us – they asked if they could be part of the episode and we thought it was a lovely idea." She did of course know that when she did sadly leave us, that it was the right thing to do and we had to give her and the audience the send off they deserve. [June Brown](https://www.ok.co.uk/latest/june-brown)'s [actual children appeared in the Dot Branning funeral episode](https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/june-browns-children-funeral-scenes-28693767) of [EastEnders](https://www.ok.co.uk/latest/eastenders) on Monday, according to the show's bosses.

The actor, who died aged 95 in April, portrayed the chain-smoking Walford matriarch for 35 years and was one of the most iconic figures on the soap.

She was perhaps the soap’s best-known star, and larger-than-life Dot was known for her devout Christian faith and hypochondria, as well as her endless cigarette addiction. The actor, who died aged 95 in April, portrayed the chain-smoking Walford matriarch for 35 years and was one of the most iconic figures on the soap. Brown played the chain-smoking matriarch for 35 years

Many fans were left asking one question in particular as the funeral service for Dot Cotton aired.

Meanwhile, other avid watchers wanted the coat to be passed Kathy or Sharon, suggesting it may be a bit too 'flamboyant' for Sonia. Maybe even Sharon as it was her mothers (even though it’s not black). I think it should go to either Sharon (Watts) or Kathy (Beale) - who was Angie’s best mate." The iconic fashion item used to belong to Angie, according to fans, before the coat was then passed onto Dot. Sonia Fowler, Dot's step-granddaughter read a eulogy while other family and friends from her life gathered together to pay their respects - for both the character and the late actress. EastEnders fans have been debating who should inherit Dot Cotton's iconic coat, with some predicting a shock return of one character who left Albert Square back in the 80s.

Ian Beale appeared at the funeral and was heard telling someone on the phone he was "coming home".