EastEnders first snaps ahead of Walford legend Dot Cottons funeral

EastEnders legend Dot Cotton will receive an emotional on-screen send-off after the actress who played her for more than 35 years died at the age of 95 earlier this year.

A special edition of the BBC soap is being filmed featuring a horse-drawn carriage with white flowers spelling out the word "Dot".

It comes after the death of actress June Brown, who had played the iconic Albert Square character since 1985, in April, and is set to air in the next few weeks.

READ MORE: EastEnders' Dot Cotton icon June Brown dies aged 95 as tributes pour in

Also spotted on set during the filming were Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown, and Tony Clay, who plays Callum Highway, with both wearing mourning clothing.

It comes amid reports that Jacqueline Jossa, who played Lauren Branning, is due to return since leaving EastEnders four years ago, with a source telling The Sun: "Bosses got in touch with Jacq about returning for Dot’s special episode and she was more than happy to come back," adding: "She was back last week filming her little guest stint."

Following June's death, an EastEnders spokesman said: "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."

EastEnders boss Chris Clenshaw reportedly said of the upcoming scenes: "It’s not a story that any of us wanted to think of or do, but under the circumstances, we’ve been working on a story where we will say a final farewell to Dot.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here

"We lost June earlier this year and what it will be is a fitting tribute to both June and Dot. We are working on it as we speak and it will be exactly what June deserves and I think what the audience deserves."

The beloved character of chain-smoking launderette worker Dot left the show in January 2020 to go to Ireland with her grandson Charlie.

But after June passed away, news of Dot's death will soon get back to her family in Walford.

June's family previously announced the news of her death in a statement, shared through EastEnders, which 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."

READ NOW:

• EastEnders icon June Brown's heartbreaking final words to pal days before she died
• EastEnders' Dot Cotton star June Brown 'left almost £1 million in her will'
• EastEnders star June Brown's most glamorous modelling snaps after death aged 95

Source: Read Full Article