June Brown has decided to quit EastEnders after 35 years playing Dot Cotton, saying she was dissatisfied with some of her recent storylines.
The actress, 93, has decided to bow out of the soap after more than three decades but an EastEnders spokesperson has insisted the doors is open for her to return.
Speaking on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast, June said: ‘It’s almost as if I’ve been bereaved. I don’t want a retainer for EastEnders, I’ve left. I’ve left for good.
Saying goodbye: June Brown has reportedly quit EastEnders after 35 years playing Dot Cotton
‘I’ve sent her off to Ireland where she’ll stay. I’ve left EastEnders. I did make up a limerick. It’s a bit dirty.
June then recited the limerick: ‘I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke. I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back.’
Dot has not been seen on EastEnders since last month when she left a voicemail for Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) informing her she had moved to Ireland.
June spoke to actress Rani Sinh, who played Sufia Karim on the soap from 1988 to 1990 about her decision to quit, saying she had no interest in a retainer contract.
Quitting: The actress has decided to bow out of the soap after more than three decades as she was disappointed by the quality of her recent storylines (pictured in 2013)
Although she has been firm in her decision not to return to Watford, June has mourned leaving the show, likening it to a bereavement.
She said: ‘I was feeling down a few days ago. I thought, “What’s the matter? Why do I feel so sad?” It’s almost as if I’ve been bereaved.’
‘I’ve played two people simultaneously for 35 years. Really Dot wasn’t me, but spiritually she probably was.’
A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: ‘We never discuss artists’ contracts, however as far as EastEnders are concerned the door remains open for June, as it always has if the story arises and if June wishes to take part.’
Bowing out: June, who has been on the show for more than three decades, said: ‘It’s almost as if I’ve been bereaved. I’ve left’ (pictured left, in 1991, and right, in 2011)
According to The Sun, EastEnders bosses are surprised at June’s decision to leave the soap and her dressing room is said to have not yet been cleaned out.
A source said : ‘Everyone is a little baffled by this as June’s dressing room and all her contents are still where they have always been.
‘In fact we were under the impression that she is attending a gathering to mark the 35th anniversary.’
Dot made her first appearance on Albert Square in July 1985 as the mother of notorious criminal Nick Cotton (John Altman).
The character, known for her chain-smoking, has been a staple of the show ever since and is one of its most beloved characters.
Dot temporarily left the soap between 1993 and 1997 before she returned to the square while June also took six months off in 2012 to write her autobiography.
Debut: Dot made her first appearance on Albert Square in July 1985 as the mother of notorious criminal Nick Cotton (John Altman)
Icon: The character, known for her chain-smoking, has been a staple of the show ever since and is one of its most beloved characters (pictured in 1991)
History: Dot left the soap between 1993 and 1997 before she returned to the square while June also took six months off in 2012 to write her autobiography (pictured in 1989)
On the podcast, June told how she got the role on the soap after the late actor Leslie Grantham recommended her to producers just a few months after the show began.
She joked: ‘I think I got it because they thought I was a punctual actress. I’m not really, but I became so.’
Dot’s enduring popularity with viewers turned June into a cultural icon, adored by the soap’s legions of fans.
Although she loved portraying the character, the actress admitted her fame was sometimes difficult for her family to deal with.
She said: ‘They got fed up with it. If we went shopping and people would stop for an autograph, nowadays it’s a selfie, you’re always being stopped.
‘I would always stop. They put you where you are don’t they? Your fans. You should appreciate your fans.’
Shocking: One of Dot’s biggest storylines in recent years was for the show’s 30th anniversary when she gave her son Nick a fatal dose of heroin and let him die
One of Dot’s biggest storylines in recent years was for the show’s 30th anniversary when she gave her son Nick a fatal dose of heroin and let him die.
The character began to appear less frequently from February 2015 due to June gradually losing her eyesight and having difficulty reading the scripts.
This was later written into the character the following year, with June making sporadic appearances on EastEnders since 2017.
Speaking about her future plans away from the soap, June revealed she has hopes to make a documentary.
She said: ‘I’m hoping to do a documentary but I can’t talk about it as someone might steal it.’
Plans: Speaking about her future plans away from the soap, June revealed she has hopes to make a documentary
Dot Cotton’s Biggest Storylines
History: Dot has been involved in a number of dramatic storylines throughout her years in Walford
Dot’s debut – 1985: Dot Cotton made her debut in EastEnders in July of that year as the mother of notorious criminal Nick Cotton and the best friend of Ethel Skinner. Despite Nick stealing from his mother and attempting to poison her, Dot believes he can be redeemed.
Dot temporarily leaves Albert Square – 1993: Nick’s girlfriend Zoe Newton arrives in Walford and introduces Dot to their nine-year-old son, Ashley Cotton. Dot becomes close with her grandson and Zoe asks her to move to Gravesend with them.
Nick is thrown behind bars when Dot returns – 1997: Dot moves back to the square after Nigel Bates tracks her down. Nick has been arrested for drug possession and she is shocked when he returns unexpectedly. He begins stealing from her again and falsely claims to have AIDS. Dot discovers the lie and reports him to the police.
Dot helps her friend Ethel to die – 2000: Ethel begs Dot to help end her life after she comes terminally ill. Torn between her deeply held Christian beliefs against euthanasia and her friend’s wishes, Dot ultimately helps Ethel to die with pills, but later thinks she should be jailed for murder. Feeling she should be punished, Dot ends up in court for shoplifting. She is jailed for 14 days for contempt of court following an outburst in the courtroom.
Dot ties the knot for a second time – 2002: Dot starts a relationship with neighbour Jim Branning. When he proposes, she is overwhelmed and leaves Walford. Jim perseveres and proposes to Dot a second time when they visit the London Eye on Christmas Eve. They decide to have a platonic marital relationship.
Dot watches on as Nick dies – 2015: After years of forgiving him for his crimes, Dot accepts Nick’s inability to change. After he asks her to buy him heroin, she agrees and gives it to him. Nick confesses he murdered Reg Cox as he lays dying and Dot decides not to call an ambulance to save him.
Sonia steals from Dot – 2019: Sonia resorts to stealing from her step-grandmother after a blackmail threat from Martin’s hit-and-run victim. She covers her tracks by claiming hackers are to blame after trying to steal thousands from Dot’s bank account.