EastEnders icons make sombre return for Dot Cotton’s funeral including Jacqueline Jossa

2022-10-13

Current and former EastEnders characters have turned out in force for Dot Cotton's funeral, with iconic characters making their return to Albert Square for the emotional scenes.

The mass return to Walford includes Jacqueline Jossa, who has returned to the role of Lauren Branning for the first time since her departure in 2018.

Alongside Lauren, another five characters are returning to say their goodbyes to the much-loved Dot.

The other returnees are George "Lofty" Holloway (played by Tom Watt), Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman CBE), Barry Clark (Gary Hailes), Mary "the punk" Smith (Linda Davidson) and Disa O’Brien (Jan Graveson).

They were joined by current cast members, including Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts and Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale, as they group filmed the emotional scenes.

Speaking about the importance of bringing back Dot’s loved ones for her final farewell, EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: "It’s an honour to invite so many of Walford’s beloved characters back to pay tribute to Dot.

"Over the years, Dot profoundly impacted the lives of many young people struggling with life’s biggest challenges."

Photographed on set the cast members all formed a sombre group, dressed all in black as they said their goodbyes, to both the character of Dot, and the late actress June Brown, who had portrayed the character since 1985.

Long-time viewers of the show will recognise some of the returnees from their time on the show as far back as 1985.

Actor Lord Michael Cashman made his return to Walford, after a brief comeback in 2016, to reprise his role as Colin Russell.

In this role the actor had the first gay kiss in a British soap in 1987. The character had previously sparked contention from Dot due to his homosexuality, however she later attended his wedding in 2016.

Jan Graveson, who played Disa O'Brien on EastEnders during the early 1990s also made her return, as did Linda Davidson, who played Mary 'The Punk' Smith.

Both characters had storylines with Dot, with the character being left to babysit both women's children on numerous occasions.

While the actors reunited to film some rather emotional scenes, they appeared to be in good spirits in between takes, with Jacqueline pictured smiling as she chatted to former co-star Shona McGarty who plays Whitney Dean.

Alongside photos of the cast reunion, snaps of Dot's funeral carriage show the iconic character will receive a send-off worth of a character with of her status, as her coffin arrives in a horse-drawn carriage adorned with floral arrangements.

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