June Brown has passed away at the age of 95.
As reported by BBC News, the iconic Eastenders star's family say they are "deeply saddened" after the Dot Cotton star died "very peacefully" at her home on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the long-running British soap said in a statement: "There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humor 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."
She is best known for portraying Dorothy "Dot" Cotton in the London-based BBC soap opera, Eastenders.
Brown first appeared on the show all the way back in 1985, when she was introduced as the mom of TV villain Nick Cotton. She remained on the show until 1993, before returning to play the chain-smoking legend in 1997.
Her second run on the show lasted until 2020.
Brown's portrayal of the religious gossip made her one of the most popular characters on the show, with Brown becoming a staple of British television and culture as a result.
During her time on the show, she battled kidney cancer, helped best friend Ethel end her life, refused to call an ambulance for her killer son, married Jim Branning, and repeatedly failed to pronounce the name of her boss, Mr. Papadopolous.
As a result of her acting career and charity work, Brown was recognized with a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Queen in 2008. And in the 2022 New Year Honors, she was then appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
In 2013, she also made headlines when she appeared on The Graham Norton Show and sparked a rather unexpected friendship with fellow guest Lady Gaga:
Fellow long-term Eastenders cast member Adam Woodyatt has described Brown as "an amazing woman" following the news of her passing, BBC News adds.
Our thoughts are with Brown's family, friends, and fans at this time.
