Posted: 15:32, 5 April 2022 | Updated: 16:48, 5 April 2022
EastEnders’s John Brown’s son, John Altman, claimed that doctors had told the late actress to “keep smoking” – two years before her death was confirmed on Monday.
The soap star died peacefully at her home on Sunday, at the age of 95, after becoming known as the smoker of the Dot Cotton chain on the long-running show, a role she played for 35 years before leaving in 2020.
But 70-year-old Altman, who played her evil, heroin-addicted son on screen, Nick – had previously insisted that Johnny smoked half a pack of cigarettes a day at the behest of her doctor.
Smoker: John Brown’s EastEnders son on screen, John Altman, claims doctors told the late actress to “keep smoking” – two years before her death was confirmed on Monday
In 2020, John said: “She is still smoking, unfortunately, but her doctors told her not to quit now. She loves her cigarettes. He smokes at least ten a day. ” (so)
In 2019, he tried to quit smoking with e-cigarettes – but eventually said it was too heavy to hold and returned to nicotine-filled cigarettes.
Known for her devotion to religion and heavy smoking, Johnny quickly became a hit with EastEnders viewers and starred in 2,884 episodes of the soap for 21 years, but also maintained the habit of off-screen smoking for seven decades.
Hi Mom! Altman, who played the evil, heroin-addicted son on screen, Nick – previously insisted that Johnny smoked half a pack of cigarettes a day with the nod of her doctor’s approval.
Tragic: The soap star died peacefully at her home on Sunday, at the age of 95, after she became known as a Dot Cotton smoking chain on the long-running show
Johnny left the soap in January 2020, making her last appearance in a story where Dot believed Martin Fowler had stolen her money – which turned out to be Sonia.
Since the news of her death was announced on Monday, tributes to the late actress have flooded in – with Altman appearing on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning to talk about his memories of June.
During the show, he called her his “second mother” before explaining to hosts Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway that June was “spiritual.”
He said: “She is so kind. He used to say healing prayers. it was quite spiritual. He certainly believed in a higher power. ”
Beautiful memories: Altman appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning to talk about his memories of June
Confirming her death on Monday, an EastEnders spokesman said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE, has sadly passed away.
“There are not enough words to describe how much Johnny was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her affectionate warmth, wit and great humor will never be forgotten.”
“The actress created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in the soap but on British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June ‘s remarkable performances created some of EastEnders’ best moments,” the statement concluded.
Amazing: An EastEnders spokesman said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE, has sadly passed away last night” (photo in her youth)
Tribute: “There are not enough words to describe how much Johnny was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her affectionate warmth, wit and great humor will never be forgotten,” the statement continued.
Dot Cotton’s greatest stories
Story: Dot has been involved in a number of dramatic stories throughout her years at Walford
Dot Debut – 1985: Dot Cotton made her EastEnders debut in July of that year as the mother of notorious criminal Nick Cotton and her best friend Ethel Skinner. Although Nick stole his mother and tried to poison her, Dot believes he can be redeemed.
Dot temporarily leaves Albert Square – 1993: Nick’s girlfriend, Zoe Newton, arrives in Walford and introduces Dot to their nine-year-old son, Ashley Cotton. Dot comes close to her grandson and Zoe asks her to move with them to Gravesend.
Nick is thrown behind bars when Dot returns – 1997: Dot returns to the square after Nigel Bates records her. Nick has been arrested for drug possession and is shocked when he returns unexpectedly. He starts stealing it again and falsely claims to have AIDS. Dot discovers the lie and reports it to the police.
Dot helps her friend Ethel die – 2000: Ethel begs Dot to help her end her life after she falls ill. Divided between her deeply Christian beliefs against euthanasia and her friend’s desires, Dot eventually helps Ethel die with pills, but later believes she should be jailed for murder. Sensing that she should be punished, Dot ends up in court for theft. He was sentenced to 14 days in prison for contempt of court after an outburst in the courtroom.
Dot Knots for the Second Time – 2002: Dot begins a relationship with neighbor Jim Branning. When he proposes to her, she is overwhelmed and leaves Walford. Jim insists and proposes to Dot for the second time when they visit the London Eye on Christmas Eve. They decide to have a platonic marriage.
Dot appears in the first episode of EastEnders with only one hand – 2008: In an emotional episode, Dot recorded a message for her husband Jim after suffering a stroke. The episode included only her character and Johnny was praised by viewers for her emotional performance.
Dot watches Nick die – 2015: After years of being forgiven for his crimes, Dot accepts Nick’s inability to change. After asking her to buy him heroin, she agrees and gives it to him. Nick confesses that he killed Reg Cox as he was dying and Dot decides not to call an ambulance to save him.
Sonia steals from Dot – 2019: Sonia resorts to theft from her stepmother after a threat of blackmail from Martin’s victim. She covers her tracks by claiming that it is the fault of the hackers who tried to steal thousands from Dot’s bank account.
