MEMBERS of Dot Branning’s family were some of the most charismatic characters to grace Walford before starting afresh.
While some will be returning to the Square tonight for the stalwart’s EastEnders funeral, what have the other Brannings been up to?
Legend Dot Cotton was in EastEnders since 1985
Nans loved her turbulent relationship with son Nasty Nick I
Dot Cotton
Perhaps the most famous of the family, is the matriarch Dot Cotton.
Played by June Brown, 94, the chain-smoking launderette worker was famed for her forever friendship with Ethel and her beloved dog Willie.
The euthanasia plotline where she helped Ethel to die after her 85th birthday was one of her most controversial scenes to date.
June joined EastEnders soon after the programme’s initial release in 1985.
Fans thrived on her turbulent relationship with her son Nasty Nick that got everyone talking.
However she decided to leave after her character’s lack of involvement with the Albert Square drama.
On February 21, 2020 it was revealed that June Brown had quit EastEnders after turning down the chance of a retainer contract.
She told Rani Singh’s podcast Distinct Nostalgia: “I’ve left, I’ve left for good. I’ve sent her off to Ireland where she’ll stay.
“I did make up a limerick, but it’s a bit dirty, really. I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke.
“I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big, wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back.”
June Brown passed away at the age of 95 in April, 2022.
Nick Cotton
Notorious for terrorizing his old ‘ma, Nick, played by John Altman, will go down as one of the worst villains in the soap’s history.
John’s character was aptly given the title as Nasty Nick after stealing, and committing crimes that landed him in prison.
The star, 69, joined the cast in 1985 as Dot’s son Nick, but the actor has now turned musician and has released an album titled Never Too Late To Rock And Roll.
He also got a joke accolade of Rear Of The Year title from 2001.
Tom Cotton
Brian was a hit with the audience when he joined the show as Sonia’s long-lost father earlier this year.
The comic has since admitted that he joined EastEnders as a tribute to his father.
Despite previously turning down the role twice in 2012, Conley wanted to join in memory of his dad.
He said: “As you can imagine being a Londoner and now being part of EastEnders is such an incredible moment for me.
“I know for sure my dad’s looking down from above and saying ‘Good on you son!’ as it was always his favourite programme.”
“So in so many ways it really is an honour to be part of such an iconic show and to be working with an incredibly talented team on camera and off.”
Dotty Cotton
Nasty Nick’s daughter Dotty joined EastEnders in 2008 and is currently played by Milly Zero.
She has played the troublesome teen since 2019.
Milly was not the first to play the role though.
The original Dotty star, played by Molly Conlin from 2008 to 2010, was reportedly very upset she was not asked back to reprise the role, and Milly won the part instead.
Milly Zero will be leaving the soap in upcoming scenes.
Dot and her son Nick were quite the double-act
Brian believes his father helped secure him a role in Eastenders – pic credit BBC
Milly Zero currently plays Dotty Cotton
Molly was the original Dotty Cotton and was not happy she was not asked back to reprise the role
