EASTENDERS’ Milly Zero has revealed when Dot Cotton’s ‘emotional, hard-to-film’ funeral will air.
The cast of EastEnders and fans of the BBC soap were left devastated by the death of June Brown – who played Dot – in April.
EastEnders’ Milly Zero has revealed when Dot Cotton’s ‘emotional, hard-to-film’ funeral will air.
June Brown – who played Dot Cotton – passed away in April at the age of 95
June passed away aged 95 – having played Dot since 1985 – and now her character will be receiving a fitting send off on the show.
Pictures have already emerged of the cast filming Dot’s funeral, and now Milly, who plays her granddaughter Dotty Cotton, has revealed more about when the scenes are set to air.
Speaking exclusively to The Celeb Report Online at the Inside Soap Awards, Milly admitted Christmas was looking a bit quieter for her character this year, but for good reason.
She explained: “I think because two weeks before Christmas we have Dot’s funeral, I think Christmas storylines will focus on other characters.”
As well as revealing how the special episode will air in December, Milly also spoke about what it was like to film the scenes with a number of returning characters including Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning, Tom Watt as Lofty Holloway and Linda Davidson as Mary “The Punk”.
She said: “[June] was a legend. It was pretty emotional and it was hard, but I feel so grateful to be a part of it.
“It was so beautiful hearing people who have known her for like 30 years talk about her and tell stories about her.
“It was a proper send off for a proper legend.”
As for how Dot’s death will impact Dotty, Milly said: “I think the news certainly hits her hard. It’s definitely a big week for the Cottons.”
Earlier this month, it was revealed that a sensational line-up of ex-stars will reunite for the funeral.
Lofty Holloway, Mary “The Punk”, Disa O’Brien and gay couple Colin and Barry will all bid farewell to her.
A TV insider said: “All the characters returning are ones who Dot had a close relationship with.
“Fans who recall its earliest storylines in the Eighties will be thrilled. Only a figure as huge as Dot would be able to muster such a nostalgic roll call.”
The special episode will bring viewers up to date on what the characters have been doing since they departed Walford.
They will also hear them share memories of Dot, who appeared on the soap from the start in 1985 to 1993 and again from 1997 to 2020.
Milly said Dot’s death will hit Dotty hard
A number of former cast members are returning for the funeral including Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning
EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.
