‘Everyone knows a Dot Cotton’: Tributes pour in for June Brown

Danny Jones

Industry peers and fans alike pay tribute to a soap legend

London comedian Mo Gilligan has summed up exactly why June Brown transcended the small screen and will forever be a cultural icon to the British public following her death on Sunday.

The London comedian was one of many from the world of entertainment to pay tribute to Brown, who played Dot Cotton on EastEnders for more than 30 years, after news of her death broke on Monday.

Gilligan said Brown had an “amazing career”, adding: “If you grew up in an estate there was always a Dot Cotton. Absolute iconic character.”

RIP June Brown honestly this woman’s career was amazing. If you grew up in an estate there was always a Dot Cotton. Absolute iconic character in Eastender 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/5X0jBm00th

— Mo Gilligan (@MoTheComedian) April 4, 2022

Brown was a veteran of the soap, playing the chain-smoking gossip from down the road, and will forever remain one of our most beloved and relatable characters.

EastEnders released a touching statement following the announcement, saying “there are not enough words” to describe how much Brown was “loved and adored” and how her “warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten”.

June Brown, OBE, MBE
1927-2022 pic.twitter.com/snWY1ylnAh

— EastEnders Press (@EastEndersPress) April 4, 2022

The lasting impression she made on those who encountered her in the industry and through the box at home is clear to see from the heartfelt messages online:

RIP June Brown, 95.
A wonderfully talented actress whose long-time portrayal of irascible fag-puffing Dot Cotton in EastEnders was one of the all-time great performances in British Television.
June was such a funny, feisty, fabulous lady off screen too. Very sad news. pic.twitter.com/qhg2qqUdcd

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 4, 2022

for me soap opera is about familiarity. Turning on the TV and seeing someone you know. A character so familiar and well drawn that you root for them in any circumstance. That’s why the loss of a soap icon feels more personal. Dot Cotton felt like a constant. RIP June Brown pic.twitter.com/eVqLC8CP49

— Furquan Akhtar (@furquan) April 4, 2022

We're deeply saddened to hear of the death of June Brown, who played one of EastEnders' longest-running and much-loved characters, Dot Cotton, and who was nominated for a BAFTA in 2009. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/m3RkWN2TEC

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) April 4, 2022

Stephen Fry also took the time to praise Brown’s “wonderful human qualities and achievements” noting the “tireless and fearless” work she did as an LGBTQ+ ally.

June Brown, amongst all her other wonderful human qualities and achievements, will be remembered as a tireless and fearless LGBT ally – especially during the darkest days of HIV/AIDS and Section 28… it was a privilege to know her

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) April 4, 2022

Brown was awarded both an OBE and MBE for her services not only to drama but through her charity work as well.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner also paid tribute to “an incredible character on and off the screen”, adding, “she will be missed by millions”.

RIP June. A soap icon and true legend. 🕊

An incredible character on and off the screen. She will be missed by millions.

June Brown: EastEnders' Dot Cotton dies aged 95https://t.co/GAGE19ZdJs

— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) April 4, 2022

Outside of the entertainment world itself, fans who grew to know and love Brown from the sofa have also been paying testament to her long and successful career.

RIP to a true icon and legend everyone knows Dot Cotton
And she deserved a bigger part in dr who too but nice she was involved in a great story https://t.co/8yiCYaO9SO

— TARDIS Time (@TARDIStime2) April 4, 2022

One particular clip of her meeting Lady Gaga on The Graham Norton Show is warming hearts, not to mention serving as a timely reminder of her comic chops”