EASTENDERS stars have paid tribute to Dot Cotton actress June Brown after she passed away on the weekend aged 95.
The actress died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side – prompting tributes to pour in from the worlds of TV and entertainment.
Danny Dyer, who played Mick Carter in the BBC soap, hailed the late star as “an icon in its truest form” in a touching message.
He wrote: “Rest in peace June. So privileged to have graced the screen with ya. An icon in its truest form.”
Adam Woodyatt, who played Ian Beale, paid a heartfelt tribute to his EastEnders co-star.
“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,” he said.
“They never made you a Dame (we did try), but to me you will always be Dame Brown.”
The Dot Cotton legend’s loved ones said the actress “died peacefully in her sleep”, but an actual cause of death is yet to be revealed.
Read our soaps spoilers blog for the latest news and gossip…
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Corrie fans stunned as Sean Tully’s ‘twin brother’ spotted on ITV soap
CORONATION Street fans were stunned when they tuned in to the soap on Friday night and saw Sean Tully’s “twin”.
A new arrival in Weatherfield caused a stir as fans immediately thought he was related to the cobbles favourite.
The character that set tongues wagging was Fiz’s estate agent who she met in a cafe to discuss the sale of her and ex Tyrone’s house.
Many said he was a dead ringer for fellow Corrie star Sean Tully, who is played by Antony Cotton, and did a double take.
One tweeted: “I actually thought that was Sean #Corrie” and a second asked: “Is this Sean’s twin? #Corrie.”
Another commented: “Is that Sean’s brother #corrie,” as a fourth wrote: “Sean’s long lost brother #Corrie #coronationstreet.”
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Martin Kemp remembers ‘true inspiration’ June Brown
EastEnders actor and musician Martin Kemp has called June Brown “a huge inspiration”.
Kemp, who played Steve Owen on the BBC soap, wrote in a tweet: “June Brown… I was such a very small part of your 35 years at Eastenders but you were a massive part of my time there.
“Such a huge inspiration. I am so glad our paths crossed.
“Rest in Peace June love goes out to your family and everyone at Enders that I know are hurting right now.”
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Coronation Street Millie Gibson looks very different to Kelly Neelan
Coronation Street’s Millie Gibson looked very different to Kelly Neelan as she enjoyed a night out.
The actress – who played the druggie teen in the ITV soap – glammed up in a chic white dress for a fun night with pals.
Telly fans did a double-take when Millie posted her smouldering shot on Instagram.
She looked incredible in her white baby doll mini-dress with thin spaghetti straps.
Millie showed off her toned and tanned legs in her outfit as she went out bare-legged.
The Corrie star showed off her matching white mani and pedicure, stepping out in a pair of towering white sandals.
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EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt charges fans £40 to roast them in personalised videos (2/2)
A source said: “Adam was one of the highest earners in EastEnders and there’s no doubt he’d be looking to come back on at least the same amount of money, if not more.
“They’re hugely keen to get him back after the massive blow of losing Danny.
“The belief is that if he signs it now it will mean he has to give Bev more in their divorce settlement.
“But clearly the bosses at EastEnders need to know what’s happening.”
We revealed last week Adam has been entertaining BBC beautician Clare Martignetti in his mobile home at Dartford, Kent.
The BBC said: “Any contract talks are pure speculation.”
Slipping into the skin of the EastEnders chef in 1985, Adam was one of the longest-standing characters in the programme.
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EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt charges fans £40 to roast them in personalised videos
EASTENDERS actor Adam Woodyatt is asking fans to fork out £40 to be “roasted” or subject to a “pep talk”.
The Ian Beale star, who has been away from the BBC soap for a year, has tapped into another cash stream with a Memmo Me profile.
On the video sharing site, his profile has an impressive five stars from adoring fans eager for his insight or well-wishes.
Alongside a sample of his recorded work, Adam’s profile reads: “Actor, best known for his role as Ian Beale in EastEnders.
“Order a personalised video message from Adam today for any occasion birthdays, pep talks, roasts, well wishes, anniversaries or just a hello.”
His fresh income stream comes after The Sun was first to reveal he is in talks to return to his iconic BBC role – for a £300,000 pay-packet.
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Corrie’s Elle Mulvaney: My first TV snog was gross
In an exclusive interview Elle, 19, reveals how she has found love off-screen, deals with online trolls and is grateful that she grew up in the public eye.
She is marking her coming of age with her first-ever photoshoot, exclusively for The Sun on Sunday today.
Elle said of her TV kiss: “We decided to make it painfully long and in the rehearsal we did it full-on.
“The script described it as a long, gross snog, so we thought it would be funnier if we really went for it.
“The cast and crew had read the script but didn’t expect that. Their jaws were on the floor. Even when they started laughing, we kept going.
“When we actually filmed it, we had to do it again and again to get the camera angles right. It was hilarious, because their reaction was the same every time. It never got less cringey.”
Read the article in full here.
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Corrie shock as SEVEN characters to leave soap this week (2/2)
Either way Jon will also leave the show this week.
But the big character leaving the cobbles is the much-loved Fiz Brown.
The mum-of-one will pack up her things and move away from The Street for the first time since she arrived on the cobbles in 2001.
But fear not, Fiz – played by Jennie McAlpine – isn’t leaving the show, and will soon return to her job at the factory.
Although she is taking her new love Phill and daughters Hope and Ruby with her.
Finally, Laura Neelan could tragically lose her life later this week, following her battle with cancer.
On Friday Gary discovers Laura has just hours to live.
He is then tasked with granting Laura’s final dying wish to have one last hug with her daughter Kelly, who is refusing to see her.
It does seem as though Laura could sadly pass away in this episode, making her the seventh exit of sorts in the same week.
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Corrie shock as SEVEN characters to leave soap this week (1/2)
CORONATION Street fans are in for a tough week ahead as SEVEN characters leave the cobbles.
Fans of the ITV soap will be left crying into their cuppa as the show waves goodbye to some very popular characters.
Viewers will see three characters leave the soap for good – and a further four move away from the cobbles.
First up we have Emma Brooker, who we know is leaving the soap after actress Alexandra Mardell revealed earlier this year she had quit after four years.
Emma will leave the cobbles next Friday (April 8, 2022) after her killer secret about Jon’s grandfather Ted is finally exposed.
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EastEnders: Linda and Mick Carter’s biggest up & downs
Mick and Linda Carter arrived in Walford to take over the The Queen Vic pub on Boxing Day 2013 with kids Nancy and Johnny. Soon after, Mick’s family members Shirley and Tina moved in too.
WEDDED BLISS Mick and Linda finally wed on New Year’s Day 2016 – Mick wearing Linda’s trademark pink fluffy dressing gown, having taken a dip in the lake to fight Dean.
BROTHERLY BETRAYAL In one of the most harrowing scenes in EastEnders history, Linda was raped in her own kitchen by Mick’s halfbrother Dean Wicks. Mick was horrified when Linda finally told him.
MAGNETIC MAX Linda felt pushed away by Mick and was drawn to the charms of Max Branning. Their affair led to her pregnancy with Annie – and the demise of her marriage.
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EastEnders’ Rose Ayling-Ellis lined up for MBE
Strictly Come Dancing winner & EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis is being lined up to receive an MBE as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The EastEnders actress, who plays Frankie Lewis in the BBC soap, won Strictly with pro partner Giovanni Pernice last year as the first deaf person to contest it.
She is now in the frame for a gong for services to the deaf community, thanks to her ballroom triumph on the BBC’s Strictly. Her performances – including one with a silent section – sent enrolments for signlanguage courses soaring.
Sources reveal Rose has now been singled out for an honour. One said: “Her success on Strictly shone a light on the deaf community in a way that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Not only did she raise awareness about the challenges deaf people face, she was a true inspiration for them – particularly young people.
“She really did break down boundaries.”
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Corrie fans in tears as Toyah loses her chance to be a mum
CORONATION Street fans have broken down in tears after Toyah Battersby was forced to give up the chance of being a mum.
Toyah was utterly devastated in the middle of a meeting with social services about the adoption of Elsie.
Viewers were absolutely heartbroken for her and shared her tears.
One wrote: “At every turn Toyah tries to have a child in her life, the opportunity gets ripped away. I can’t cope.”
A second said alongside a series of crying-faced emojis: “Need to give Toyah a hug…”
Another added: “My heart is breaking for Toyah and Elsie.”
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EastEnders spoilers: Stuart makes sad admission
In scenes due to air on BBC One next week, Stuart admits he is worried about being around his son and not being able to fight his cancer.
If his illness came to overtake him, Stuart would be leaving Roland without a father and he knows what pain this could cause him.
As a boy, Stuart was mistreated by his own father Jonno, who failed multiple times to step up to the plate as a parent not only for him but also for his brother Callum.
Thankfully, Stuart can count on his grandmother Vi’s (Gwen Taylor) unwavering support.
Noticing how anxious he is, Vi turns to Stuart’s wife Rainie and assures her she will be helping him get through this.
Could his cancer battle help him make amends with his grandmother?
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EastEnders’ Janine and Linda scrap in the Queen Vic
LINDA Carter settles back into Albert Square tonight just in time to attend Tina’s funeral.
But when she finds her estranged husband Mick in Janine Butcher’s company, she fails to keep her cool in tomorrow’s EastEnders.
In December, 2021, Linda Carter (played by Kellie Bright) received a visit from Walford villain Janine (Charlie Brooks) to whom she spoke of her rocky marriage with Mick (Danny Dyer).
Unable to recognise Janine – much to the disbelief of many viewers – Linda decided to follow her advice and ask for a divorce.
Little did she know she had ulterior motives and was only determined to get her hands on the Vic landlord.
And since Tina was found dead under the floorboards in the Argee Bhajee, it seems like Janine has succeeded.
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EastEnders shock as Linda Carter works out who Janine Butcher is
EASTENDERS fans are convinced Linda Carter will destroy Janine Butcher after discovering her true identity tonight.
The Queen Vic landlady – who is played by actress Kellie Bright in the BBC soap – made her return tonight for sister-in-law Tina Carter’s funeral.
And she had a shock when she spotted Janine there with her estranged husband Mick.
Viewers know Janine secretly visited Linda at her mum’s pub and posed as a wine seller to convince her to drink again and divorce Mick.
Midway through the service, it finally dawned on Linda who Janine really is – and she had many questions.
Whispering to Mick, she demanded to know what she was doing there and why she had convinced her to divorce him.
He shut her down and she was left furious.
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June Brown’s secret rival soap role revealed
Little did EastEnders fans know she appeared in a rival soap before her big break.
Making her first appearance in Albert Square in 1985, Dot Cotton became one of its longest-standing resident over the decades, until her departure from Walford in 2020.
While her character has packed her things to go to Ireland with her grandson Charlie, actress June Brown has sadly passed away at the age of 95, as it was announced today.
The news is a devastating blow to EastEnders, who were perhaps hoping she would change her mind about not returning to the long-running drama.
However, viewers of another TV staple are saddened by the news of June’s death.
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Dot’s live episode in 2015
An action-packed live episode in 2015 saw Dot being driven away in a police car after her decision to confess about killing her son Nasty Nick.
She admitted she had put Nick in an abandoned house, given him heroin and let him die in her arms.
She later stood trial and was found guilty of manslaughter.
Dot was sentenced for 14 months inside but was let out for husband Jim Branning’s funeral.
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Walford residents pay a tearful goodbye to Tina Carter
THE residents of Walford pay a tearful goodbye to Tina Carter in tonight’s emotional episode – but there’s added drama also in store.
Mick gets a shock when Linda (returning actress Kellie Bright) turns up just in time for Tina’s funeral.
But the childhood sweethearts begin to feud as their divorce proceedings are underway.
Things go from bad to worse when Linda recognises Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) as the woman who convinced her to get a divorce during the festive period.
The Walford villain becomes a second target for the former Vic landlady.
Once again, Janine supports Mick during his eulogy as Linda fails to do the same.
Linda later drunkenly causes a scene at the crematorium as she rages about Janine to the Carters.
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Danny Dyer hints he will return to EastEnders
EastEnders star Danny Dyer has hinted to the Duchess of Cornwall that he may return to the soap despite quitting.
The actor – who plays Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter in the BBC soap – will bow out later this year in an explosive storyline.
But this week during a Royal visit from The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, Danny let slip that it may not be a permanent exit.
He told Camilla that he will be exiting the show after nine years.
“I used to make movies before moving into soap-land, but I’m leaving this year… Maybe I will come back, who knows,” he said.
Camilla asked Dyer about his exit storyline, to which he said: “Tune in, it’s going to be a big one.”
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Dot Cotton’s best moments on Albert Square
Soap fans around the country yelled in delight when Dot finally kissed Jim Branning.
The pair’s courtship was extremely slow and stern Dot did her best to pretend she was not impressed with his romantic actions.
Poor Jim was knocked back numerous times despite his best efforts.
Jim had to make the first move and caught Dot in a loved-up clinch behind the bar at the Queen Vic.
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Ian Beale actor pays tribute to June Brown
Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, 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.”
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EastEnders star Gurlaine Kaur Garcha confirms soap return
EastEnders fans were “over the moon” to see the return of a favourite daughter as the Ash Panesar actress announced her return to Walford.
Gurlaine Kaur Garcha played Ash Kaur – the daughter of Suki Panesar – in Albert Square on the BBC show from 2019 until her character’s dramatic departure.
But the star, who spent her time off doing charity work in Africa, revealed her return to Albert Square in an adorable photo with her onscreen mum.
Gurlaine snuggled up to Suki actress, Balvinder Sopal, in an adorable photo she posted to Instagram.
She warmly put her arms around Balvinder as the pair kept warm in black winter coats.
“Together again,” she captioned the post.
Eastenders fans were delighted to see the pair not only reunited but that Gurlaine was back on the show.
“Over the moon that @gurlainekaurgarcha is returning back to eastenders.🔥🔥🔥❤️,” commented one fan.
Another added: “YES!!!!! Miss you Ash!”
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Dot Cotton’s best moments on Albert Square
Dot eventually succumbed to Jim’s advances and said ‘yes’ when he proposed in 2001 inside one of the carriages on the London Eye on the South Bank of the River Thames.
They were married on Valentine’s Day in a remarkably uneventful (in soap terms) ceremony.
After a mishap with viagra, Dot decided that their marriage should remain purely platonic.
The loveable pair were devoted to one another and their hilarious bickering made for some of the soap’s best scenes.
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Joe Gamp here, signing off.
My colleague Louis Allwood is now taking over the blog.
He’ll be with you until 10pm this evening.
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Corrie fans stunned as Sean Tully’s ‘twin brother’ spotted on ITV soap
CORONATION Street fans were stunned when they tuned in to the soap on Friday night and saw Sean Tully’s “twin”.
A new arrival in Weatherfield caused a stir as fans immediately thought he was related to the cobbles favourite.
The character that set tongues wagging was Fiz’s estate agent who she met in a cafe to discuss the sale of her and ex Tyrone’s house.
Many said he was a dead ringer for fellow Corrie star Sean Tully, who is played by Antony Cotton, and did a double take.
One tweeted: “I actually thought that was Sean #Corrie” and a second asked: “Is this Sean’s twin? #Corrie.”
Another commented: “Is that Sean’s brother #corrie,” as a fourth wrote: “Sean’s long lost brother #Corrie #coronationstreet.”
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Coronation Street Millie Gibson looks very different to Kelly Neelan
Coronation Street’s Millie Gibson looked very different to Kelly Neelan as she enjoyed a night out.
The actress – who played the druggie teen in the ITV soap – glammed up in a chic white dress for a fun night with pals.
Telly fans did a double-take when Millie posted her smouldering shot on Instagram.
She looked incredible in her white baby doll mini-dress with thin spaghetti straps.
Millie showed off her toned and tanned legs in her outfit as she went out bare-legged.
The Corrie star showed off her matching white mani and pedicure, stepping out in a pair of towering white sandals.