Late EastEnders cast members Barbara Windsor and June Brown received rapturous applause as The British Soap Awards paid tribute to the stars during the event at the Hackney Empire in London on Saturday.
Barbara, who played Peggy Mitchell on the BBC soap, died at the age of 83 after a battle with Alzheimer’s in December 2020, and June, who played Dot Cotton, died at the age of 95 in April.
During the Soap Awards ceremony this weekend, clips of Dame Barbara and June acting in EastEnders were played on screen as part of a tribute to all of the serial drama stars who had died since the last ceremony in 2019.
Tribute: EastEnders cast members Barbara Windsor and June Brown received rapturous applause as British Soap Awards 2022 bosses paid tribute to the stars on Saturday
Taking to Twitter to express their gratitude for the touching moment, one person wrote: ‘I’m not sure if they were transmitted, but the cheers and applause in the room for the late June Brown and Barbara Windsor were deafening.
‘What a beautiful moment. #SoapAwards.’
Another person posted: ‘There was huge cheers for EastEnders it was great! Tonight shows how great the cast is (even though i need to catch up), but I’m so confused on Emmerdale winning best soap??
RIP: June, who played Dot Cotton on the soap, died at the age of 95 in April this year with family by her side
‘I smiled when Barbara and June got massive cheers from the crowd during that tribute too, great moment.’
Another viewer wrote: ‘God we’ve lost a lot of big characters in soapland… Barbara Windsor and June Brown #SoapAwards2022.’
While someone else shared: ‘June Brown and Barbara Windsor they are missed greatly and they had a lot of cheers from everyone.’
Applause: Viewers and audience members at the event took to Twitter to express their gratitude for the tribute
One other soap fan tweeted: ‘June Brown and Barbara Windsor to powerhouse iconic EastEnders actress who will always be remembered and loved.’
‘I still can’t believe Barbara Windsor and June Brown are no longer with us #SoapAwards,’ wrote someone else.
June died at the age of 95 at her home in Surrey on Sunday 3 April this year.
Legend: EastEnders star June, pictured in 2020 aged 93, who was best known for her role as Dot Cotton, died at the age of 95
A statement from her family 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.’
June starred on EastEnders for more than three decades, and a spokeswoman for the BBC soap paid a glowing tribute to the actress at the time.
She 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.’
Screen star: June enjoyed 35 years on the show, joining in 1985 and filming her final scenes in 2020 (far right)
‘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.’
Gripping: Viewers were captivated by her relationship with her tearaway son Nick, played by John Altman, who would die from a heroin overdose bought for him by Dot (pictured right)
Dame Barbara, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and made the news public in 2018, died at a London care home in December last year.
Famed for her infectious laugh and baring all in the Carry On films, the east London-born actress universally known as ‘Babs’, boasted a 66-year career in showbiz, first appearing on stage aged 13 before retiring four years ago aged 79 as dementia took its toll forcing the 4ft 10ins actress to stop playing fearsome landlady Peggy Mitchell on EastEnders.
The BBC said in a statement: ‘We are all deeply saddened that that we’ve lost our Dame. From the moment Barbara stepped foot in Walford she created an icon in Peggy Mitchell, our formidable Landlady, who the audience instantly fell in love with.
VIP: Outside of the showbiz world she was made a Dame (pictured) in the Years Honours List in 2016 for her services to charity and entertainment
‘But to all of us at EastEnders, she was our dearest friend who was truly loved and adored by everyone. Our thoughts go out to Scott and Barbara’s family. Rest in peace Dame Barbara Windsor, MBE.’
She is survived by her third husband Scott Mitchell, who announced after her death that his ‘best friend and soul mate’ passed away peacefully.
He had moved into her care home a few days earlier to be by her side when she died.
Dame Barbara had no children, often saying she never regretted it because of the way she had been rejected by her own father, and spoke candidly about having five abortions in her life.
She became one of the most famous faces on British screens for her fun-filled saucy roles in the Carry On comedies of the 1960s and 70s before before becoming the no-nonsense Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell.
As she bravely fought Alzheimer’s in the final years of her life, she turned her energies to campaigning to protect those with dementia, the vulnerable and the lonely as well her passionate support of the Armed Forces through the Poppy Appeal.
The actress – who was made a Dame by the Queen in 2016 – announced she was suffering from Alzheimer’s in 2018, having been diagnosed four years earlier.
He’s back! This year, host Phillip Schofield, 60, welcomed a plethora of soap stars to London’s Hackney Empire, where they’ll battle it out to scoop prizes in 14 categories
The British Soap Awards returned live to ITV for the first time in two years after the 2020 and 2021 ceremonies were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In its place in 2020, ITV instead aired a 60-minute special titled The British Soap Awards Celebrates 21 Years, narrated by long-running presenter Phillip Schofield.
This year, host Phillip Schofield, 60, welcomed a plethora of soap stars to London’s Hackney Empire, where they’ll battle it out to scoop prizes in 14 categories.
The awards are either voted for by a panel of expert judges or the public, with fans able to choose their favourites for Best British Soap, Best Leading Performer and Best Family categories.
BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2022 WINNERS
British Soap
Coronation Street
Doctors
EastEnders
Emmerdale – WINNER
Hollyoaks
Leading Performer
Sally Carman (Abi Webster) – Coronation Street
Gillian Wright (Jean Slater) – EastEnders
Linda Henry (Shirley Carter) – EastEnders
Paige Sandhu (Meena Jutla) – Emmerdale – WINNER
Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) – Emmerdale
Family
The Alahans – Coronation Street
The Carters – EastEnders
The Dingles – Emmerdale – WINNER
The McQueens – Hollyoaks
Coronation Street: Sally Carman as Abi Webster
Villain
Maximus Evans (Corey Brent) – Coronation Street – WINNER
Laura White (Dr Princess Buchanan) – Doctors
Toby-Alexander Smith (Gray Atkins) – EastEnders
Paige Sandhu (Meena Jutla) – Emmerdale
Rhiannon Clements (Summer Ranger) – Hollyoaks
Coronation Street: Maximus Evans as Corey Brent
Comedy Performer
Jane Hazelgrove (Bernie Winter) – Coronation Street
Sarah Moyle (Valerie Pitman) – Doctors
Tameka Empson (Kim Fox) – EastEnders – WINNER
Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle) – Emmerdale
Chelsee Healey (Goldie McQueen) – Hollyoaks
Newcomer
Paddy Bever (Max Turner) – Coronation Street
Ross McLaren (Luca McIntyre) – Doctors
Ross Boatman (Harvey Monroe) – EastEnders – WINNER
Darcy Grey (Marcus Dean) – Emmerdale
Matthew James-Bailey (Ethan Williams) – Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks: Chelsee Healey as Goldie McQueen
Best Storyline
Coronation Street – Hate Crime
Doctors – Bear and his mother encounter racism at St Phil’s Hospital
EastEnders – Jean’s Bipolar
Emmerdale – Meena Serial Killer
Hollyoaks – Misbah’s Historic Rape – WINNER
Single Episode
Coronation Street – Flashback
Doctors – Three Consultations and a Funeral – WINNER
EastEnders – Jean in Southend
Emmerdale – Marlon’s stroke
Hollyoaks – Out of Time
Emmerdale: Mark Charnock as Marlon Dingle
Dramatic Performance
Sally Carman (Abi Webster) – Coronation Street
Dex Lee (Bear Sylvester) – Doctors
Gillian Wright (Jean Slater) – EastEnders
Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) – Emmerdale – WINNER
Harvey Virdi (Misbah Maalik) – Hollyoaks
On-screen partnership
David Neilson & Mollie Gallagher (Roy Cropper & Nina Lucas) – Coronation Street
Chris Walker & Jan Pearson (Rob Hollins & Karen Hollins) – Doctors
Lacey Turner & Gillian Wright (Stacey Slater and Jean Slater) – EastEnders – WINNER
Isobel Steele & Bradley Johnson (Liv Flaherty & Vinny Dingle) – Emmerdale
Anna Passey & Kieron Richardson (Sienna Blake & Ste Hay) – Hollyoaks
EastEnders: Gillian Wright as Jean Slater
Young performer
Millie Gibson (Kelly Neelan) – Coronation Street – WINNER
Sonny Kendall (Tommy Moon) – EastEnders
Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor) – Emmerdale
Jayden Fox (Bobby Costello) – Hollyoaks
Scene of the year
Coronation Street – Johnny’s Death
Doctors – Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
EastEnders – Hall of Mirrors
Emmerdale – Bridge Collapse
Hollyoaks – Misbah Didn’t Consent – WINNER
The Outstanding Achievement Award was given to EastEnders legend Letitia Dean for her portrayal of Sharon Watts
The Tony Warren Award went to Coronation Street scriptwriter Jan McVerry
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