EastEnders legend John Altman, who played ‘Nasty’ Nick Cotton on the soap between 1985 and 2015, has spoken out about his on-screen daughter was recast.
John, 68, was not impressed by the decision of the soap bosses, and added that BBC icon June Brown, who plays Dot Cotton, felt the same way about Dotty being replaced.
Dotty was originally played by Molly Conlin, now 19, back in 2008, and she stayed on the soap for two years before leaving with her dad.
The character returned in 2019 and was recast by Milly Zero, 21, who has been following in her shady dad’s criminal footsteps.
John revealed he and June weren’t happy when Molly Conlin was replaced last year (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
Despite being killed from the soap in 2015 from a shock heroin overdose, John made his feelings clear about Dotty being replaced, as well as June’s own outrage.
He told Entertainment Daily : “She wasn’t pleased with the recasting of Dotty but that wasn’t the reason she left. I wish people would get it right sometimes. It’s highly irritating.
“She wasn’t pleased and nor was I because the former actress, Molly Conlin, was quite capable of playing that part. She’s a lovely looking girl as well.
John and Dotty left the soap together in 2010, but he later returned without her (Image: BBC)
“I’ve no idea on God’s earth why they recast it. I’ve no idea what goes on in their brains up there sometimes.
“She’s done very well the new actress [Milly Zero], but why do it? It’s recast mania up there. So many actors have changed and they never look the same.”
Actress Molly previously shared her disappointment upon learning that whilst her character would be returning to the soap, she wouldn’t be.
Molly was replaced by older actress Milly Zero in 2019 (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron/Jack Barnes)
She revealed to The Sun that she had been approached by bosses about reprising her role, but they had decided someone older should play Dotty.
Molly said: “They did approach me, unfortunately they wanted the new Dotty to go back and appear a lot older and be played by someone in their 20s.
“Of course I would have loved to have returned to EastEnders, but I believe everything happens for a reason.”
The actress later took to Instagram, writing: ‘Everyone’s asking so many questions so I thought I’d write a post, yes they have re-cast Dotty Cotton, they wanted the new Dotty to appear a lot older and for her to be roughly in her 20s!
“Of course I’m very upset but I believe everything happens for a reason.”
EastEnders continues on Thursday at 7.35pm on BBC.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
