BBC EastEnders: The real life of Dot Cotton actress June Brown – quiet Folkestone life to family tragedy

June Brown is best-known as the chain-smoking EastEnders legend, Dot Cotton.

The soap actress played the role in the BBC series for more than 35 series and is still considered a stalwart of the series to this day.

Whilst a lot of her life was captured on-screen, the 94-year-old lives a fairly quiet life in Folkestone to enjoy her family life.

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She has previously described in an interview that she’s never been the “celebrity sort”.

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The EastEnders legend has had two marriages in her lifetime.

June’s first marriage was to John Garley, who she was married to for seven years before they separated.

John is a former actor who appeared in the TV series The Black Arrow.

June’s most recent marriage lasted for over 45 years to former actor Robert Arnold.



June Brown, who played Dot Cotton in EastEnders, has spent much of her life right here in Kent
June Brown, who played Dot Cotton in EastEnders, has spent much of her life right here in Kent

He starred on-screen in roles including, Dixon of Dock Green, Sink the Bismarck!, Tunes of Glory and Microbes of Men.

Robert tragically died at the age of 72 after a battle with Lewy-body dementia.

The couple share five children together, Lousie, William, Naomi, Sophie and Chloe.

June moved to Folkestone early in life but it’s not sure when exactly.

The soap star moved to the town with her husband Robert at the time before his sad death “for years”.

In an interview with Great British Life, she said: “I wasn’t born there [Folkestone] – that was in Suffolk – but I have always felt that some of my roots are in Folkestone.”

She added: “I have been a fan of Kent for many years, who wouldn’t be?

“It’s not known for its fruit and hops for nothing, it’s a beautiful, fertile county with nice people, a great heritage, a nice coast and some lovely theatres too.”

June still owns a home in Folkestone to this day.

She described to Great British Life the town she lived in and the residents there.

June said: “The people in Folkestone are pretty relaxed and they don’t stare at you when they pass you in the street, I much prefer that.

I don’t mind talking to people but I have never seen what I do as anything other than my job. I’ve never been the celebrity sort.”

June’s dedication to acting throughout the OBE has earned her an OBE, however, some thought that she was worthy of more.

At the time of the honour, one fan wrote: “June Brown just an OBE and not Dame? For shame.”

Another added: “June Brown only getting OBE’s is an insult. I mean, the whole honours process is a complete joke, but if they don’t deserve to be made a Sir and a Dame then who bloody does?!”

Article Source: Kent Live