A MAJOR EastEnders star has revealed the moment bosses informed the cast of June Brown death – describing it as a “punch in the gut”.
Diane Parish, who plays Denise Fox on the BBC soap, appeared on This Morning alongside Fatboy actor Ricky Norwood to pay tribute to the Dot Cotton icon, who died at the age of 95 at her home in Surrey on Sunday.
The actress, 52, told Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond: “I wasn’t there at the time when everyone was called to be told about June’s passing, but I got a phone call from one of the cast members and everyone’s devastated. It was like a punch in the gut.
“I suppose, in this awful way, you kind of expect everyone’s not going to live forever, although we hoped June would live forever.”
She continued: “It was just that thing that we didn’t want to happen and we didn’t expect it to happen, so it really took everyone’s breath away.
“It was a very sombre day by all accounts and it will be for quite a while, because she was the rudder in the ship. She was the definition of EastEnders and it was a privilege to know her and work with her.”
She then continued: “We’ve lost some great ones. We’ve lost Barbara, June and Anna Karen this year, so it’s tough at EastEnders at the minute.”
Read our soaps spoilers blog for the latest news and gossip…
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EastEnders’ Kate Jarvis is now a B&M worker
Best known for playing Kat Slater’s cousin Hayley in EastEnders, Katie Jarvis turned her hand to a new job when she took a break from acting.
She did a stint on the door at her local B&M in Romford, East London, revealing at the time: “I’ve taken a step back from acting. I’ve got a job and I’m looking after my kids.”
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EastEnders’ Hetti Bywater now works as a bar worker
Stunning Hetti took over the role of Lucy Beale in 2012, and was central to a huge Whodunnit? storyline two years later.
The nation was rocked when it was revealed that the character’s little brother Bobby had murdered her – with Hetti previously admitting that she “hated” Lucy.
The 27-year-old has had other acting roles since leaving Walford, but has also been spotted pulling pints in a London pub while between jobs.
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June Brown refused to retire from acting
June Brown was adamant she wasn’t retiring from acting right up until her death.
June was perhaps EastEnders’ best-known star and larger-than-life Dot was known for her devout Christian faith and hypochondria, as well as her endless cigarette addiction.
The veteran actress, who had a long career in television and theatre, arrived on Albert Square shortly after the soap began in 1985, and aside from a break between 1993 and 1997, was a regular for more than three decades.
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Emmerdale star Laura Norton’s horror as her hair ‘falls out in clumps’
EMMERDALE star Laura Norton has told of the terrifying moment her hair fell out “in clumps”.
The Kerry Wyatt actress, 38, bravely opened up about her hair loss battle – which started when she was just 16 and dealt her a devastating blow when she joined the soap.
Laura explained in an open letter published in New magazine that she started taking synthetic hormones to tackle her “horrendous” periods.
She said: “What they never told me was certain pills are testosterone-heavy and attack hair follicles, making hair get thinner and weaker, then fall out.”
The actress revealed that it was when she joined the ITV soap that things got really bad.
Laura wrote: “I got my dream job playing Kerry Wyatt on Emmerdale and – boom – my hair was falling out in clumps.”
She added: “Thanks universe, great timing! It wasn’t great for the old self-esteem.”
However, Laura said matters improved massively when she contacted her local trichologist – a hair doctor – in Newcastle, where she lived at the time.
She said she was given drops for her hormones and supplies of ferritin, which helps your body to store iron.
The star was also given a ‘hair-friendly’ version of the pill to replace the ones she had previously been taking and her hair started to recover.
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Juen Brown’s first encounter with Lady Gaga remembered
EastEnders star June Brown has been remembered for her “iconic” first meeting with singer Lady Gaga following the news of her death.
The veteran actress, who played fan favourite Dot Cotton in the BBC soap, died at her home on Sunday aged 95.
Brown’s 35-year run in Albert Square began in 1985 before she left the show in 2020.
Amid the reminiscences about her on-screen talent, the moment she met Gaga on The Graham Norton Show in 2013 has been remembered.
After making a grand entrance on to the chat show wearing a fur-trimmed coat with an e-cigarette perched between her fingers, Brown soon hit it off with the American singer-songwriter.
Lady Gaga said: “I actually am a very big fan of yours. You are so fabulously dressed and I am so honoured to be seated next to you.”
After discovering the actress was reaching the age of 87, Gaga took a sip of Brown’s wine, adding: “I just want to take a sip from your cup, I want to know what those genes are.”
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June Brown was ‘young at heart’, says Lacey Turner
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner said she could chat to June Brown “like she was a friend of the same age” – despite their age difference.
Brown, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for more than 30 years, died at her home on Sunday aged 95.
Turner, 34, who was a teenager when she joined the programme, said she feels “blessed and lucky” to have “so many special memories of June”.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, the actress, who joined EastEnders as Stacey Slater in 2004, said: “It’s just so surreal. You turn up on your first day at work and you’re blessed with the presence of the likes of June Brown, Barbara Windsor and Wendy Richard… all these incredible icons. It’s just mind-blowing.
“To watch them work over the years, it truly is an honour because they work with the old-school glamour that isn’t around anymore.
“Just to be around (Brown)… I was 16 or 17 and June would have been late 70s, and you could have a conversation like she was a friend of the same age. It was amazing.”
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Corrie’s Emma Brooker on her audition ‘fail’
CORONATION Street actress Alexandra Mardell had a premonition she’d be on the soap – but was mortified when she failed her first audition
The soap star – who plays Emma Brooker – has quit the cobbles after four years and will see her character leave this week.
She said: “I grew up watching Corrie so it was always in my head ‘I’ve got to be on Corrie, I’ve got to be on Corrie’. It was a dream of mine.”
But Alexandra admitted her dream was almost dashed before it began when she didn’t get a part she auditioned for.
“I did audition [for Corrie] before which I didn’t get and I was mortified,” she told This Morning.
“But I’m really glad now because I got to be Emma.
“It’s funny because when I was younger I told my mum one day I’m going to be on Corrie and I’m going to be David Platt’s girlfriend.”
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EastEnders star looks unrecognisable
EASTENDERS’ die-hard fans will well remember the beloved character Pete Beale who ran Albert Square’s fruit and veg stall.
But the actor who played the patriarch of the Beale family left the soap in 1993, and now lives a VERY different lifestyle.
Former soap star Peter Dean, now 83, was on the BBC soap right from the beginning back in 1985, before he decided to leave for good eight years later.
To fans, the TV star is best remembered as EastEnders’ cockney market stall trader, and dad to Ian Beale, who was known for his catchphrase: “Alright treacle!”.
But after leaving life on the square, Peter, who grew up in Hoxton in East London, ditched acting for good.
In fact he is a now a practising Buddhist who, after quitting EastEnders, worked as a security guard, and also in a furniture yard.
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Hollyoaks kills off major character as huge star quits
HOLLYOAKS has revealed that Luke Morgan will die this summer – after Gary Lucy quit the soap.
The actor originally joined the Channel 4 soap 23 years ago and now he is set to depart the role of Luke.
And now in a flash-forward episode the soap has revealed that Luke will die in July.
Read more here.
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EastEnders’ Janine and Linda scrap in the Queen Vic
LINDA Carter settles back into Albert Square tonight just in time to attend Tina’s funeral.
But when she finds her estranged husband Mick in Janine Butcher’s company, she fails to keep her cool in tomorrow’s EastEnders.
In December, 2021, Linda Carter (played by Kellie Bright) received a visit from Walford villain Janine (Charlie Brooks) to whom she spoke of her rocky marriage with Mick (Danny Dyer).
Unable to recognise Janine – much to the disbelief of many viewers – Linda decided to follow her advice and ask for a divorce.
Little did she know she had ulterior motives and was only determined to get her hands on the Vic landlord.
And since Tina was found dead under the floorboards in the Argee Bhajee, it seems like Janine has succeeded.
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Emmerdale fans convinced they have spotted Noah Dingle’s next victim
In tonight’s episode, he tried to insult her again to impress Nate Robinson – but it backfired.
As Noah ordered two points and two tequilas for him and Nate, Nate asked him if he was OK with Chloe being there.
“Why would I care what she thinks?” Noah snapped back.
“She’s just a using cow who thinks she’s better than everyone else.”
But Chloe wasn’t going to stand for that and told him: “Careful drinking so much.
“You know how it affects you.”
Nate burst into laughter but Noah stormed out insisting: “Forget the drink, I don’t want to be anywhere near her.”
He left Nate and Chloe looking very cosy and keeping each other company as they drank more and more.
Farmer Nate even defended Chloe and put Noah in his place.
And it impressed Chloe who made her own move on Nate.
“I don’t know about you but I’m starving,” she said.
“We could get a takeaway and go back to yours.”
Fans think Nate will be Noah’s next target after the twisted teenager discovers what’s happened.
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Rhona Goskirk exhausted as she struggles to cope with Marlon’s stroke
LIFE since Marlon Dingle’s stroke has not been the easiest for his fiancée Rhona Goskirk.
Next week in Emmerdale, the village vet is fatigued as she still finds it hard to cope.
Rhona (portrayed by actress Zoe Henry) has a lot on her plate as she tries to help Marlon (Mark Charnock) recover from his stroke.
But while the latter remains in hospital, refusing visits from his own daughter April (Amelia Flanagan), Rhona progressively crumbles under the pressure.
Coming up, Rhona’s birthday is near and April is determined to make the day special by successfully pulling off a surprise birthday party in the Woolpack.
Aware she had promised Marlon a visit, Rhona is torn until Chas suggests Cain to take her place to allow her to enjoy the party for April’s sake.
Soon, Rhona is eager to see Marlon and April begs to come with her.
Under pressure, Rhona lies to April but is more than determined to convince Marlon to let her visit.
She eventually gets what she wants the following day and April visits her father in hospital.
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Sharon Watts makes horrifying Ben Mitchell discovery
AS Linda Carter rekindles with Walford, Sharon Watts has welcomed her in her home.
But she soon has other things to worry about after she makes a horrific discovery about Ben Mitchell in EastEnders.
While drama unfolds, going as far as to tear families apart, Ben Mitchell (portrayed by Max Bowden) has taken a backseat from all storylines.
In recent episodes, his father Phil was sent to prison and pushed him away from the family business.
However, in upcoming scenes of the BBC One soap, Ben takes centre stage once again.
During a wander in Albert Square, as her place has been crowded since Linda’s return, Sharon bumps into Ben… but is horrified by what she sees.
The character played by Letitia Dean finds her former stepson in the gym’s alley with a man called Steve whom he has attacked.
Moments before, Ben found the man, Steve, and recognised him from the night before.
While Ben was out on the town with Lewis, Steve hurled homophobic abuse at the both of them alongside his friends – which was enough to make Ben angry.
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EastEnders cast hunky Emmerdale and The Witcher star Aidan O’Callaghan
Eastenders has cast hunky The Witcher and Emmerdale actor Aidan O’Callaghan in an upcoming plot involving Walford regular Ben Mitchell.
Aidan will play the role of Lewis, who first arrives in Albert Square later this month after landing the manager’s job at The Prince Albert.
The character soon befriends Ben and they enjoy a night out on the town before Lewis is later harassed by a homophobic gang.
The incident results in Ben beating one of the thugs unconscious.
It is not yet known how long Aidan’s character will be hanging around Walford but it is believed EastEnders bosses want to feature The Prince Albert more in future episodes.
The Irish actor is no stranger to soap life, meanwhile, having appeared in Emmerdale as a character called Mike in 2018.
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Kelly Neelan will turn to drugs
CORRIE’S troubled Kelly Neelan will turn to drugs after her mother tragically dies following a battle with terminal canecer.
Laura, played by Kel Allen on the ITV soap, found out that Gary Windass (Mikey North) had killed Rick Neelan following his confession.
But, knowing that she would die after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, num Laura lied to the police and said that she had murdered her husband.
Following her mother’s death, Kelly tries to come to terms with what has happened.
Numb with misery, Kelly takes out her mum’s bottle of morphine from her pocket and unscrews the top, just as Abi arrives…
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EastEnders’ Kate Jarvis is now a B&M worker
Best known for playing Kat Slater’s cousin Hayley in EastEnders, Katie Jarvis turned her hand to a new job when she took a break from acting.
She did a stint on the door at her local B&M in Romford, East London, revealing at the time: “I’ve taken a step back from acting. I’ve got a job and I’m looking after my kids.”
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EastEnders’ Hetti Bywater now works as a bar worker
Stunning Hetti took over the role of Lucy Beale in 2012, and was central to a huge Whodunnit? storyline two years later.
The nation was rocked when it was revealed that the character’s little brother Bobby had murdered her – with Hetti previously admitting that she “hated” Lucy.
The 27-year-old has had other acting roles since leaving Walford, but has also been spotted pulling pints in a London pub while between jobs.
-
June Brown refused to retire from acting
June Brown was adamant she wasn’t retiring from acting right up until her death.
June was perhaps EastEnders’ best-known star and larger-than-life Dot was known for her devout Christian faith and hypochondria, as well as her endless cigarette addiction.
The veteran actress, who had a long career in television and theatre, arrived on Albert Square shortly after the soap began in 1985, and aside from a break between 1993 and 1997, was a regular for more than three decades.
-
Emmerdale star Laura Norton’s horror as her hair ‘falls out in clumps’
EMMERDALE star Laura Norton has told of the terrifying moment her hair fell out “in clumps”.
The Kerry Wyatt actress, 38, bravely opened up about her hair loss battle – which started when she was just 16 and dealt her a devastating blow when she joined the soap.
Laura explained in an open letter published in New magazine that she started taking synthetic hormones to tackle her “horrendous” periods.
She said: “What they never told me was certain pills are testosterone-heavy and attack hair follicles, making hair get thinner and weaker, then fall out.”
The actress revealed that it was when she joined the ITV soap that things got really bad.
Laura wrote: “I got my dream job playing Kerry Wyatt on Emmerdale and – boom – my hair was falling out in clumps.”
She added: “Thanks universe, great timing! It wasn’t great for the old self-esteem.”
However, Laura said matters improved massively when she contacted her local trichologist – a hair doctor – in Newcastle, where she lived at the time.
She said she was given drops for her hormones and supplies of ferritin, which helps your body to store iron.
The star was also given a ‘hair-friendly’ version of the pill to replace the ones she had previously been taking and her hair started to recover.
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Evening! It’s Louis Allwood bringing you the latest soaps updates and spoilers today!
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Juen Brown’s first encounter with Lady Gaga remembered
EastEnders star June Brown has been remembered for her “iconic” first meeting with singer Lady Gaga following the news of her death.
The veteran actress, who played fan favourite Dot Cotton in the BBC soap, died at her home on Sunday aged 95.
Brown’s 35-year run in Albert Square began in 1985 before she left the show in 2020.
Amid the reminiscences about her on-screen talent, the moment she met Gaga on The Graham Norton Show in 2013 has been remembered.
After making a grand entrance on to the chat show wearing a fur-trimmed coat with an e-cigarette perched between her fingers, Brown soon hit it off with the American singer-songwriter.
Lady Gaga said: “I actually am a very big fan of yours. You are so fabulously dressed and I am so honoured to be seated next to you.”
After discovering the actress was reaching the age of 87, Gaga took a sip of Brown’s wine, adding: “I just want to take a sip from your cup, I want to know what those genes are.”
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June Brown was ‘young at heart’, says Lacey Turner
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner said she could chat to June Brown “like she was a friend of the same age” – despite their age difference.
Brown, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for more than 30 years, died at her home on Sunday aged 95.
Turner, 34, who was a teenager when she joined the programme, said she feels “blessed and lucky” to have “so many special memories of June”.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, the actress, who joined EastEnders as Stacey Slater in 2004, said: “It’s just so surreal. You turn up on your first day at work and you’re blessed with the presence of the likes of June Brown, Barbara Windsor and Wendy Richard… all these incredible icons. It’s just mind-blowing.
“To watch them work over the years, it truly is an honour because they work with the old-school glamour that isn’t around anymore.
“Just to be around (Brown)… I was 16 or 17 and June would have been late 70s, and you could have a conversation like she was a friend of the same age. It was amazing.”
-
Corrie’s Emma Brooker on her audition ‘fail’
CORONATION Street actress Alexandra Mardell had a premonition she’d be on the soap – but was mortified when she failed her first audition
The soap star – who plays Emma Brooker – has quit the cobbles after four years and will see her character leave this week.
She said: “I grew up watching Corrie so it was always in my head ‘I’ve got to be on Corrie, I’ve got to be on Corrie’. It was a dream of mine.”
But Alexandra admitted her dream was almost dashed before it began when she didn’t get a part she auditioned for.
“I did audition [for Corrie] before which I didn’t get and I was mortified,” she told This Morning.
“But I’m really glad now because I got to be Emma.
“It’s funny because when I was younger I told my mum one day I’m going to be on Corrie and I’m going to be David Platt’s girlfriend.”
-
EastEnders star looks unrecognisable
EASTENDERS’ die-hard fans will well remember the beloved character Pete Beale who ran Albert Square’s fruit and veg stall.
But the actor who played the patriarch of the Beale family left the soap in 1993, and now lives a VERY different lifestyle.
Former soap star Peter Dean, now 83, was on the BBC soap right from the beginning back in 1985, before he decided to leave for good eight years later.
To fans, the TV star is best remembered as EastEnders’ cockney market stall trader, and dad to Ian Beale, who was known for his catchphrase: “Alright treacle!”.
But after leaving life on the square, Peter, who grew up in Hoxton in East London, ditched acting for good.
In fact he is a now a practising Buddhist who, after quitting EastEnders, worked as a security guard, and also in a furniture yard.
-
EastEnders’ Janine and Linda scrap in the Queen Vic
LINDA Carter settles back into Albert Square tonight just in time to attend Tina’s funeral.
But when she finds her estranged husband Mick in Janine Butcher’s company, she fails to keep her cool in tomorrow’s EastEnders.
In December, 2021, Linda Carter (played by Kellie Bright) received a visit from Walford villain Janine (Charlie Brooks) to whom she spoke of her rocky marriage with Mick (Danny Dyer).
Unable to recognise Janine – much to the disbelief of many viewers – Linda decided to follow her advice and ask for a divorce.
Little did she know she had ulterior motives and was only determined to get her hands on the Vic landlord.
And since Tina was found dead under the floorboards in the Argee Bhajee, it seems like Janine has succeeded.
