EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy fights back tears as she pays tribute to 'powerhouse' June Brown

EastEnders viewers were thrilled to see a very familiar face back on our screens, as Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky) made a surprise return to the BBC soap. In scenes that aired on Thursday 7 April, Sean appeared via FaceTime to speak to both his sister Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and his mum Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) amid her mental health struggle storyline. Soap fans watched as Stacey got in touch with her brother after growing increasingly worried about their mum Jean’s state of mind following her recent behaviour.

EastEnders has released new spoiler pictures teasing Sam Mitchell's, played by Kim Medcalf, explosive return to Albert Square. It was announced earlier this year that Kim would be reprising her role of Sam, which she played from 2002 until 2005.The role was previously played by Danniella Westbrook from 1990 to 2000 — the latter also briefly returned in 2009 and 2016.

Former EastEnders star Maisie Smith's mum Julia is following in her famous daughter's footsteps as she was spotted filming scenes for the BBC soap. Julia was seen reading a script for the show, which made her talented 20 year old daughter shoot to fame thanks to the iconic role as Tiffany Butcher, which she played from 2008 until earlier this year.

EastEnders actor John Altman reckons his on-screen mum June Brown should have been a legend of the big screen. John - famous as Dot Cotton's wayward son Nasty Nick on the soap - claimed that they took the BBC show roles for the cash and that decision cost them bigger roles in the movies.He said: "I truly believe that June could have been a Penelope Keith or a Vanessa Redgrave if she'd had the 'Sliding Doors' moment we used to talk about.

Martine McCutcheon is known for how bright and peppy she is, the actress shared a moving tribute on Tuesday as she marked the passing of June Brown.SEE: Martine McCutcheon shares very rare family photo of lookalike mum JennyThe actress shared a sepia-toned photo of June and movingly wrote: "Darling June… The true essence of Eastenders. An amazing mother, wife, actress, and a damn good laugh… RIP darling." She ended the post with a praying, heart and dove emoji.June died on Sunday, with the press office for EastEnders sharing the devastating news on Monday.

Loose Women, Nadia Sawalha appeared via video link to pay a sweet tribute to EastEnders icon June Brown who sadly passed away on Sunday night. Appearing on the daily talk show from her home on April 5, Nadia got emotional while talking about June, who she worked alongside on the set of EastEnders.

EastEnders didn't do set tours, I sent June Brown a disposable camera and asked if she could snap some set pics for me instead - the kindnesses of her heart she took time out to snap these for me. What a legend.” And sure enough, he also uploaded photos of June taken on the set of Eastenders in the Queen Victoria Pub, Dot's house and Kathy's cafe.June also sent back a photo of herself that she signed and wrote: “Hope the photos are ok, they were quite difficult to get, love Dot”.Simon said the gesture was “so very kind” and the post has clearly struck a chord with people as it has since gone viral.

EastEnders, had to regretfully turn down the invitation, however, as she was expected on Piers Morgan's show the following day and had planned to prepare with some much-needed rest.Many Lady Gaga fans have been reflecting on her friendship with the British actress on social media, after the sad news of June's death was announced yesterday.The unlikely pair hit it off when they met on The Graham Norton Show back in 2013, when Gaga was 27 and her new friend was 86.In spite of an age gap spanning three generations, the musical star told June that she was "honoured" to be sitting beside her on talk show host Graham's sofa.The pair met and bonded while Gaga was showcasing some very extravagant costumes, including a bikini with a mermaid bra, featuring cups in the shape of seashells, accessorised by turquoise blue tassels.In another outfit change, she sported a feather headdress, plus a sheer black top.June is also renowned for her relaxed attitude to flesh-flashing, having previously appeared in Calendar Girls completely naked.Despite being in her eighties, she was the only woman featured in the film to totally strip off, as the other 11 women wore flesh-coloured underwear for modesty.Therefore, daring June seemed to appreciate Gaga's extravagant and often skimpy choices of clothing.However, an invitation to members' only club Annabel's for a spot of clubbing proved to be a step too far for the 86-year-old - and she turned it down."She invited me to Annabel's.

The late EastEnders star June Brown was best known for her role as the legendary Dot Cotton - but it wasn't the actresses first experience on a British soap.

Natalie Cassidy has paid tribute to her EastEnders co-star June Brown after the Dot Cotton actress died at the age of 95. Speaking on The One Show, Cassidy, 38, who played Sonia Fowler in the long-running soap, revealed to hosts Alex Scott and Alex Jones, what it was like working with the late star, who died on Sunday. She said: ‘I don’t know where to start really, it’s really such a sad day.

Earlier today it was announced EastEnders legend June Brown has died aged 95.

EastEnders fans are calling for a "proper conclusion" and tribute for June Brown on the BBC soap, following the legendary actress' passing. Walford icon June died on Sunday 3 April at the age of 95. She played Albert Square's favourite elderly resident Dot Cotton for 35 years and has long remained one of the most popular characters on the show after first landing on the soap in 1985.

EastEnders paid tribute to June Brown at the end of Monday's episode after it was announced that the legendary Dot Cotton star had tragically passed away at the age of 95. It comes as BBC One also aired a documentary looking at June's life and career following Monday's episode.

EastEnders paid a heartfelt tribute to actress June Brown after it was announced on Monday (April 4) that the actress had died at the age of 95.June has iconically played the role of Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for an astounding 35 years after first gracing screens as the laundrette manageress back in 1985.Wanting to give thanks to her decades of service, the channel offered up an emotional black and white snap with the words: "In loving memory of June Brown OBE, MBE, 1927 - 2022."Many fans agreed that EastEnders did the Dot Cotton legend proud with the honorary statement at the end of the programme, while others were left in tears. On Twitter one fan chimed: "Such a lovely episode and perfect tribute to June @bbceastenders #EastEnders #JuneBrown #DotCotton."Another added: "I just love how they paid tribute to June.

BBC One underwent a major schedule shake-up on Monday (April 4) in a bid to honour Eastenders actress June Brown after her death was announced.A statement about the switch-up featured on the Panorama Twitter page, the update read: "Tonight’s Panorama has been postponed to allow for a tribute to EastEnders actress June Brown, who has died aged 95"Panorama's Obesity: Who Cares if I’m Bigger? will now air on Wednesday, 20 April at 8:30pm on @BBCOne."The documentary will will take a glance back at June's legacy and longstanding career as Dot Cotton on the popular soap.The one off show had been created in bid to celebrate June's 90th birthday five years ago but given the sad news of her passing the BBC decided to give it one final showing.Fans flocked beneath the post to offer up their condolences. "Really hard not to completely love her.

EastEnders star June Brown on The One Show turned emotional.On Monday (April 4) it was announced that the star better known as Dot Cotton on the BBC soap had sadly passed away at the age of 95.The 38-year-old actress who was close friend of the beloved laundrette manageress on and off screen appeared via video link on the programme hosted by Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas.Having played the role of Sonia Fowler since 1993, Natalie had some fond memories to share with the hosting duo and wanted to "do her proud" with her tribute.Natalie hailed June as "a powerhouse" who was funny and warm but kept the whole cast on their toes when it came to perfecting scenes.The welsh presenter asked Natalie: "I mean you knew her on-screen and off-screen, you were great friends and would holiday together all sorts of things but why do you think then that the nation really did take her to their hearts as Dot?"In response, Natalie almost choked up as she said: "Because I think she created Dot herself, 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 every-bodies business. "Every single scene she did every word she said was truthful and that's why I think everybody fell in love with her.

EastEnders actress June Brown was married to her second husband Robert Arnold for 45 years, but after he died, the former decided she never wanted to tie the knot again.The late soap star, who sadly died April 3 at the age of 95, revealed that after more than four decades together, she just "couldn't be bothered" to try again once she became a widow. June shared six children with Robert, and the late couple were happily married until his death in 2003. In an exclusive interview with OK! back in 2010, June opened up on her love life, career, and even revealed whether she and BBC character Dot Cotton were similar.