EastEnders Dot Cotton funeral LIVE — Fans all say the same thing as legend returns for special June Brown episode
EASTENDERS stars old and new gathered in Albert Square to bid farewell to one of the show's most iconic characters.
In emotional scenes, Walford legend Dot Cotton was remembered by those close to her over the years as well as actress June Brown's own children in Dot Cotton's heartbreaking funeral
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!
One fan took to Twitter to say: "Ian Beale, Mr Eastenders himself. Bring him back soon EE." While another said: "Ian Beale! Amazing character. He should be back for good."
The commemorative EastEnders episode aired on BBC One - but the 40-minute special episode is also available to watch on the .
Read our Dot Cotton funeral blog for the latest updates...
This live blog is now closed
This Dot Cotton funeral blog has now closed.
But you can follow all the action from all your favourite soaps here.
Or you can head to the links below for up-to-the-minute gossip and spoilers on your favourite daily dramas.
- Latest Emmerdale spoilers
- Latest Coronation Street spoilers
- Latest EastEnders spoilers
- Latest Hollyoaks spoilers
How to watch EastEnders
EastEnders usually airs on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
You can watch it on these days at 7.30pm on BBC One.
Any missed episodes can be also watched on the BBC iPlayer.
EastEnders fans all say the same thing as Jacqueline Jossa returns as Lauren
Jacqueline Jossa returned to EastEnders last night, and it’s safe to say fans were excited to see her.
One fan wrote online: “If EastEnders keep Lauren Branning I promise I’ll start watching again.”
Another added: “Lauren’s back omg can she stay #EastEnders.”
As a third shared: “Great to see Lauren back love @jacquelineMjos #EastEnders @bbceastenders would love to see a permanent return.”
Linda Davidson as Mary ‘The Punk’ Smith returned last night
Mary the Punk is remembered for being Walford’s original 80s wild child.
Actress Linda Davidson admitted that June taught her a lot at a young age, telling the BBC: “June always was very nurturing of young talent, particularly of me.
“We did a scene you might remember where Dot and Mary get down on their knees in Mary’s little bedsit, and they pray together.
“June had tutored me in that scene and said, ‘Just be still, darling, it’s the hardest thing for an actress to do, but if you can master being still, you’ll steal the scene’.”
Jacqueline Jossa returned as Lauren Branning last night
Jacqueline Jossa played Lauren from 2010 until 2018, before walking away from Albert Square.
The actress admitted she felt it was important to return to represent the Branning side of the family that Dot had.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: “June deserves the send-off she’s going to get at EastEnders, and I wanted to be a part of that and be involved.
“It was nice to be there to represent that side of the Branning family because there are family members always off gallivanting and doing different things.”
Was June Brown married?
Brown was married twice, first to John Garley in 1950, a fellow actor, who died seven years later.
She then married Robert Arnold in 1958, who was also an actor and had played PC Swain in Dixon Of Dock Green.
They remained together for 45 years until his death from Lewy-body dementia in 2003.
Looking back on Dot Cotton’s final scene in EastEnders
In an emotional episode that aired on January 21, 2020, Dot Cotton left Walford fans and stars alike devastated.
June’s final scene aired through an answer machine message.
She told Sonia: “This is to tell you I’m off to Ireland for a lovely time with my grandson Charlie.
“I shall be able to help them when the baby comes. I don’t know why Son that Martin should have taken that money but you’ll sort it out for me, won’t you?
“You’ll find out and let me know. Do remember, you’re only at the other end of the phone so you can always get in touch.
“I shall miss you and I shall always love you as I know you’ll love me. So goodbye my dearest girl, your loving grandma Dot.”
What did June Brown do during World War Two?
June was only a 12-year-old child when World War Two started in September 1939, so she was evacuated to Pontyates, a small village in Wales.
In the latter years of the war, June served in the Wrens – the Women’s Royal Naval Service.
Roles for the Wrens included radar plotters, weapons analysts, electricians, air mechanics and cooks.
How old was June Brown when she died?
June Brown was born on February 16, 1927, which made her 95 years old when she died.
Her 90th birthday was marked with a special BBC show titled June Brown At 90: A Walford Legend, which focused on June’s life, career and her 30 years on EastEnders.
It featured tributes from co-stars including Danny Dyer, Adam Woodyatt, Gillian Taylforth, Rudolph Walker, Lacey Turner and Natalie Cassidy.
Who was June Brown?
June Brown was an English actress who will always be remembered as Dot Cotton in BBC soap EastEnders.
She took up the role in 1985 and had a few periods away from the soap before exclusively revealing to The Sun in February 2020 that she had quit the show for good.
June’s character Dot was known for her chain-smoking, working in the local launderette and being the long-suffering mum of criminal Nick Cotton.
Her final scene aired on January 21, 2020, with her leaving for Ireland.
Dot was a ‘constant presence’ in Walford
Each of Dot’s loved ones spoke tonight about their feelings for Dot.
She was a “constant presence” who “always cared” for the people closest to her.
How did you find Dot's emotional goodbye?
EastEnders fans all say the same thing as Jacqueline Jossa returns as Lauren
Jacqueline Jossa returned to EastEnders this evening, and it's safe to say fans were excited to see her.
One fan wrote online: "If EastEnders keep Lauren Branning I promise I’ll start watching again."
Another added: "Lauren’s back omg can she stay #EastEnders."
As a third shared: "Great to see Lauren back love @jacquelineMjos #EastEnders @bbceastenders would love to see a permanent return."
Linda Davidson as Mary ‘The Punk’ Smith returned tonight
Mary the Punk is remembered for being Walford’s original 80s wild child.
Actress Linda Davidson admitted that June taught her a lot at a young age, telling the BBC: “June always was very nurturing of young talent, particularly of me.
“We did a scene you might remember where Dot and Mary get down on their knees in Mary’s little bedsit, and they pray together.
“June had tutored me in that scene and said, ‘Just be still, darling, it’s the hardest thing for an actress to do, but if you can master being still, you’ll steal the scene’.”
Looking back on Dot Cotton’s final scene in EastEnders
In an emotional episode that aired on January 21, 2020, Dot Cotton left Walford fans and stars alike devastated.
June’s final scene aired through an answer machine message.
She told Sonia: “This is to tell you I’m off to Ireland for a lovely time with my grandson Charlie.
“I shall be able to help them when the baby comes. I don’t know why Son that Martin should have taken that money but you’ll sort it out for me, won’t you?
“You’ll find out and let me know. Do remember, you’re only at the other end of the phone so you can always get in touch.
“I shall miss you and I shall always love you as I know you’ll love me. So goodbye my dearest girl, your loving grandma Dot.”
Now that was emotional
That was an emotional rollercoaster, wasn't it?
How did you find Dot Cotton's farewell episode?
'Enjoy the time you've got, it's over in the blink of an eye'
Dot's final message is a poignant one, as she tells fans to enjoy the time they have with their loved ones.
'Goodbye Dot, I love you'
What a way for Sonia to end her speech.
Someone get the tissues...now!
Love was always the most important thing for Dot
While Dot struggled to tell people she loved them, Sonia says it was always the most important thing for her.
A fitting tribute to the Walford legend.
Dot was a 'class act' like the Queen
Just like the Queen, Dot "believed in duty, service and sacrifice."
Dot was a 'constant presence' in Walford
Each of Dot's loved ones is now speaking about their feelings for Dot.
She was a "constant presence" who "always cared" for the people closest to her.
Fans were not expecting that return
Walford fans really weren't expecting Ian Beale to make an appearance tonight.
Well, it looks like everyone came out for Dot in the end.
IAN!!
Oh my god, it's IAN!
Well, that was unexpected.
Even Mary is here
The 80s EastEnders icon is back.
Mary is looking verrrry different to back in the day.
Here come the tears
The Walford stars aren't alone in feeling the heartbreak tonight, fans are too.
Collin makes a return!
Collin has made a return ahead of Dot's funeral.
The last time Collin Russel was in Albert square was all the way back in 2016,
Good time to make a return!