Eastenders legend June Brown, who played chain-smoking launderette worker Dot Cotton in the BBC soap, has sadly passed away aged 95.
June had stepped down as Dot in 2020 after 35 years of playing the character and being one of the longest-serving actors on the soap.
The star was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2008 for her services to Drama and Charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours after featuring on EastEnders, Coronation Street, The Bill and Mr Bean.
Though she retained her glitz and glamour in her later years, June was no stranger to glamorous snaps as a young actress, either.
To celebrate her incredible life and mark her tragic passing, Daily Star has taken a look at her most stunning shots ever.
Second World War
(Image: Collect)
June served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, the former women’s branch of the navy, in the Second World War and while serving she dated naval sub-lieutenant Colin Parsey.
The pair met when she was stationed at an army and navy base in Ardentinny, Scotland, in 1944.
The actress and her man were pictured in their uniforms a stroll during the war amid civilians at an unknown location.
June’s army uniform showed off her slim physique as she locked arms with Colin and grinned for the camera.
Colin was posted to Troon on the west coast of Scotland and June remembered pretending to be his wife so they could spend the night together.
She said: “I got a weekend pass and went to visit Colin in Troon, staying as his wife in some small hotel.
“Most of my friends at home only experienced the delights of marriage on their wedding day…”
Theatre school
(Image: Collect)
June won a place at London’s Old Vic Theatre School during the later years of the Second World War, where she met her first husband, actor John Garley.
She later forged a career in theatre and performed in many stage shows.
In a stunning throwback snap June is seen during her time performing as a young Jewish girl in the Emmanuel Street Story play.
Previously discussing time as a young actress at the school, June said: “I got a grant for the Old Vic Theatre School in London, which had just started. It was only five terms; they used to break you down and never quite put you together again but it was an excellent training.”
Stunning portrait snap
(Image: ANL/REX/Shutterstock)
In a breathtaking snap taken when June was in her 20s, the actress could be seen sitting on a chair with her hand gripping the back of it
June, who was sporting a stylish short bob, could be seen gazing away from the camera as her portrait is taken.
The actress discussed her youthful good looks in a candid interview back in 2013.
She told the Daily Mail: “Well, I hope you’ll forgive me if I confirm that yes, I was very beautiful.
“Certainly, between the ages of 18 and 23 when I married for the first time, I seemed to attract the opposite sex.”
Shakespeare makeover
(Image: Collect)
June and her first husband Johnny performed together in William Shakespeare play Measure for Measure in the playwright’s birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon.
The pair were seen together wearing stunning 1600s style costumes for a snap.
June stunned in glamorous frock with a headdress which wrapped around her face and showed off her stunning features.
The actress previously explained the photo was taken after she had just finished doing her husband’s eye make-up which he “relied on her to do”.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
