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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mollie Quirk

June Brown's surprising friendship with Lady Gaga – sharing wine and nightclub invite

Much-loved EastEnders' Dot Cotton actress June Brown has died at the age of 95, the BBC announced earlier today.

And it may come as a surprise to some that the late EastEnders legend had a sweet bond with American musician Lady Gaga.

The pair met back in 2013 and instantly struck up a super sweet friendship when they appeared together on the Graham Norton Show.

The Born This Way singer was instantly taken aback by the soap icon and called her "too fabulous" and revealed that she was a "big fan" and "honoured" to be sitting next to her on the famous red sofa.

Sitting beside each other, the new best pals enjoyed a chat over a glass of red wine – which left viewers totally in love with the unlikely duo.

Watch the adorable moment that these two icons met – video can be found above.

Lady Gaga and June Brown hit it off in 2013 (PA)
The pair's sweet bond was a win with viewers of the show (PA)

In 2019, June spoke to the Daily Star where she opened up about her friendship with the kooky American singer.

June said: "She [Lady Gaga] was so funny, intelligent and down to earth, but when she went in front of the press, you could see her put the Gaga persona on."

It was also reported by the Daily Star that their friendship extended out of the Graham Norton Show studios, with Lady Gaga inviting June to a nightclub in London.

"She invited me to Annabel's. Unfortunately I was doing Piers Morgan the next day," the actress told the paper.

June played the role of Dot Cotton in EastEnders (BBC / Jack Barnes)

Earlier today EastEnders bosses paid a heartbreaking tribute to June on Twitter : "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE sadly passed away last night," they revealed in the post.

"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...

"June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2884 episodes, June’s remarkable performances created some of EastEnders finest moments…"

They concluded: "We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June’s family and friends.

"A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today - we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory.

"Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten."

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