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Featured Image Credit: Instagram/BBC
Topics: Celebrity, Eastenders, BBC, TV And Film
Ali Condon
Former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late co-star June Brown, who passed away at the age of 95.
June, who was best known for her iconic role of Dot Cotton on the BBC soap, died on Sunday at her Surrey home.
On EastEnders, Natalie Cassidy played Sonia Fowler, Dot's step-grandaughter, meaning the actress shared plenty of scenes with June over the years.
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Leading tributes to the EastEnders legend, Natalie shared her fondest memories of working with June on screen. Watch here:
Speaking to The One Show on Monday, Natalie raved about June's performance as Dot on the soap.
She told hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas that June had "created Dot herself."
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She continued: "I know it was written on a page but that character, she created.
"And it was so real to life to have that woman around town who knew everybody's business. Every single scene she did, every word she said, was truthful. And that's why I think everyone fell in love with her."
Following June's passing over the weekend, an EastEnders spokesperson confirmed in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE, sadly passed away last night.
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“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.
"June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June’s remarkable performances created some of EastEnders’ finest moments.
"We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June’s family and friends. A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory.
“Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."
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The actress's family also released an emotional statement, which read: "We are deeply saddened to announce our beloved mother, June, passed away very peacefully at her home in Surrey on Sunday evening, with her family by her side. We would kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time."