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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

EastEnders pays tribute to June Brown as soap recreates Dot's first ever scene

EastEnders paid tribute to Dot Cotton and the actress who played her, June Brown, on the BBC soap on Monday night.

Two months on from June's death in April, the show recreated her very first scene 37 years to the day that it aired.

June made her debut on the soap on July 4 1985, and with it being today's date the soap paid a special homage in tribute.

Sonia Fowler said almost the exact script lines June read in her first soap scene back in 1985, in the very same location.

Not only was it said the same, but Sonia was also wearing a coat similar to that worn by Dot in the moment that aired over 30 years ago.

EastEnders aired a special nod to Dot Cotton on Monday (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

As Sonia, played by Natalie Cassidy who was close friends with June, walked into the café she made a request to Kathy Beale.

She said: "Give us a tea Kath, and a glass of water so I can take a paracetamol."

This was almost identical to Dot's opening line as she too walked into the café on this very day 37 years ago.

Served by Lofty, she said: "Give us a tea Lofty, and a glass of water so I can take a paracetamol."

EastEnders paid tribute to Dot Cotton and the actress who played her, June Brown, on the BBC soap (BBC)

Viewers were quick to pick up on the nod to the character and June, and took to Twitter to praise the moment.

One viewer said: "Lovely tribute to Dot’s first ever scene in tonight’s first episode."

Another commented: "This is really sweet! I love June Brown and Dorothy Cotton! Both legends. She will be missed."

A third fan said: "Ohhhh love this," as a fourth wrote: "gone but not forgotten."

Two months on from June's death in April, the show recreated her very first scene 37 years to the day that it aired (BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

The same scene also appeared to mimic the moment in 1985 when Arthur Fowler was trying to fix the oven, as Dot demanded her glass of water.

As Sonia and Kathy spoke, regular café worker Marie was seen struggling to open the oven.

As the recreated scene came to an end, Sonia mentioned her by name and referenced her religion too.

She told Kathy: "Do you know, I called on the Lord so many times I think I'm turning into Dot."

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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