EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy had ‘very difficult’ time after death of June Brown
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has opened up on the tragic loss of her longtime co-star and friend, June Brown, who passed away in April 2022, aged 95
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has shared her feelings about losing her good friend and co-star June Brown, who played Dot Cotton.
June sadly passed away in April 2022 when she was 95 years old. Natalie, who is 40, has been playing Sonia Fowler for almost 30 years, and Sonia was Dot’s step-granddaughter.
The soap said goodbye to June with a special episode in December 2022 that showed Dot Cotton’s funeral. Natalie had a big part in it as Sonia.
Speaking to OK!, Natalie talked about how sad she was when June died. She recalled some funny stories about the telly star and said it was an “honour” to be a big part of the funeral episode.
Natalie said about losing June: “It was very, very difficult for me, because obviously I’ve lost a dear friend as well as a colleague. She taught me a lot and we had a lot of laughs over the years.”
She also spoke of the fun times she had with June, like going on holiday together and having June stay at her house. They would hang out in their pyjamas, drink wine, and learn their lines
Natalie went on: “When she was 82 years old she’d be partying in a nightclub, and she was just so amazing. We had the best time.
“It was an honour to lead that episode [Dot’s funeral] and be at the helm of everything. There was a lot resting on my shoulders, but I think I did her proud.”
Natalie’s character, Sonia, is as legendary as Dot Cotton, and Natalie spoke fondly of the role that she portrays – and whether she would ever consider doing a different soap or TV show.
She said: “I certainly wouldn’t do a different soap – that would be terrible, jumping ship after all this time! My loyalty is with EastEnders. But I had eight years off, so I’ve not been there for a full 30 years and there’s always room to have more time off in the future.”
