Soap stars who've died this year – tragic accident, house fire and cancer battle

dailystar.co.uk:

EastEnders icons June Brown, to Emmerdale legend Andy Devine. As we get set to honour the nation’s biggest and most-loved soap stars at the British Soap Awards on June 11th, let’s take a look back at some of soaps operas most beloved stars who left us.From sudden accidents to tragic cancer diagnosis, the late stars are gone but never forgotten…Actress June Brown, who played the much-loved character Dot Cotton on EastEnders for more than three decades, died in April at the grand age of 95.Brown first appeared in the series in 1985, the year EastEnders was created.She stayed until 1993, returning to play the same character from 1997 until 2020.Her family said they were "deeply saddened" to announce that their "beloved mother" had died "very peacefully" at her home.Dot Cotton was one of the BBC soap's longest-running characters and a favourite with viewers.An EastEnders spokesperson said: "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.Emmerdale star Andy Devine passed away in January and was best known for his role as Shadrach Dingle on the ITV soap.The actor, born as Peter Devine, played the character on and off from 2000 and made his final appearance in July 2010 when his character was killed off in an emotional storyline related to alcohol abuse.Speaking in an interview in 2010, Devine admitted his acting career had exceeded all his expectations.He told the Manchester Evening News: “I think the only thing you need to be an actor is a vivid imagination and an ability to put that into action.”EastEnders fans were devastated to learn that soap star Anna Karen died in a tragic house fire aged 85 back in.