EastEnders’ Dot Cotton actress June Brown ‘left almost £1 million in her will’
EastEnders actress June Brown reportedly left behind a fortune which will be shared between her five children following her death earlier this year.
The soap star, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton between 1985 and 2020, left nearly £1million in her will to her offspring, reports claim.
June died aged 95 in April and was survived by her children Chloe, Louise, William, Naomi and Sophie, who she shared with Robert Arnold.
Reports: EastEnders actress June Brown reportedly left behind a fortune which will be shared between her five children following her death earlier this year (pictured in 2019)
June’s second born child – also called Chloe – died two weeks after she was born.
The Sun reports that prior to her death, June requested that her remaining finances would be equally divided between her daughters and son.
June’s character Dot was one of the soap’s longest serving characters.
She first appeared in 1985 but later quite eight years later ib 1993. She then rejoined in 1997 and stayed for more than two decades until 2020.
June’s family revealed they were with her when she died peacefully, while the BBC urged fans to raise a glass of sweet sherry in her memory. The star still loved a tipple and a cigarette well into her 90s.
Iconic character: The soap star, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton between 1985 and 2020, left nearly £1million in her will to her offspring, reports claim
For decades she was one of the most famous faces on British TV, playing the devout Christian famed on Albert Square for her chain smoking, gossiping and mothering of those in need while working in the launderette.
Incredibly she began her career on Coronation Street and it was at the age of 58 that she landed the role that would turn her into a household name.
Actor Leslie Grantham, who famously played Dirty Den in the soap, put June forward for the part after seeing her in the comedy drama Minder.
Family: June died aged 95 in April and was survived by her children Chloe, Louise, William, Naomi and Sophie, who she shared with Robert Arnold (pictured with her family)
Her relationship with her tearaway son Nasty Nick Cotton, played by John Altman, would captivate millions who watched in horror and sympathy as she forgave and forgave him for his crimes.
But in 2015 Dot finally gave up on him after he cut the brakes on Roxy’s car and he died after consuming a bad batch of heroin bought for him by his very own mother.
Dot’s loving relationship with Jim Branning, played by John Bardon, saw the on-screen couple win a host of awards and left heartbroken fans in tears as she said goodbye to him following a stroke.
An EastEnders spokesman said: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE, sadly passed away last night.
‘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.
Career: She first appeared in 1985 but later quite eight years later ib 1993. She then rejoined in 1997 and stayed for more than two decades until 2020 (pictured with on-screen husband John Bardon in 2014)
‘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.’
A statement from Brown’s family said: ‘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.’
Close bond: June is pictured at her book signing at Easons store in Dublin, Ireland.She is joined by two of her daughters Sophie and Naomi in 2013
