EastEnders stars Ricky Norwood and Diane Parish grew tearful over their late co-star June Brown.
Soap legend June sadly died aged 95 after playing Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for over three decades.
The family of the iconic actress said they were “deeply saddened” to announce their “beloved mother” had died peacefully at her home on Sunday (April 4).
Ex-EastEnders star Ricky Norwood broke down in tears as he paid a beautiful on-air tribute to his former co-star June on Tuesday (April 5).
Ricky, who played Fatboy in the soap, appeared on ITV’s This Morning alongside co-star Diane Parish, who plays Denise Fox.
(Image: ITV)
Ricky started welling up as he started speaking to hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, telling them: “June was… It’s really hard talking about her in the past tense, I’ve got to tell you.”
Dermot said: “Let’s not, let’s just celebrate who she is,” as Alison reassured Ricky that it was okay to cry.
She said: “Do you know what, just get it out because it’s okay to cry, beacuse the fact that you’re crying means how special that women was.”
Ricky replied: “We get to work with people a lot, but when you get to work in close surroundings day in and day out, you do form a bond with each other and with June it was so special because straight away she recognised the character of Fatboy wasn’t just about the slang and wasn’t just a superficial type of character.
“There were layers that we were trying to put into the character.”
(Image: PA)
Dot enjoyed a sweet on-screen relationship with Rocky’s character Dot before June left the soap after 35 years on Albert Square.
Ricky went on to describe her as “kind” and “open” before admitting he couldn’t look her in the eye during his first scene with her as he was so starstruck.
He said: “It was Mrs B, it was June Brown! I grew up with her, watching her on the TV.”
Apparently, June told Ricky to look her at the end of her nose if he couldn’t look at her in the eye.
(Image: ITV)
Ricky also revealed he used to make cups of tea for the star on set, and that the soap veteran was allowed to edit her scripts as she was trusted to do so.
Dianne said she was mesmerised by June when she walked onto the set.
She said: “She’s iconic, I mean everybody recognises June Brown and Dot Cotton. The minute you see her you know what you’re dealing with. What she created in her character from her hair down to her clothing down to her handbag.”
After fighting back tears she added: “All due respect to our bosses, June was the real governor.”
(Image: PA)
Dianne also said she couldn’t believe June hadn’t been given aa Damehood or BAFTA.
Fans were emotional as they watched the tearful tribute on ITV, and many flocked to Twitter to send supportive messages.
One wrote: “Aw Dot’s relationship with Fatboy was really special. Emotional seeing Ricky Norwood so upset.
A second said: “That tribute to June. I’m tearful now!”
A third commented: “Loved the character fat boy! June brown will be so so missed.”
A fourth added: “June Brown is amazing [love heart emojis] bless her soul”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
