EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy opens up over June Brown's death

EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has opened up about the loss of her co-star June Brown.

Legendary soap star June passed away in April 2022, leading to EastEnders creating a special memorial episode that aired later that year.

Cassidy was a central part of the soap's tribute to June's character Dot Branning since the pair were related on-screen.

Speaking to The Mirror, Natalie explained that she's still mourning the loss of a friend and co-star who had such an impact on her life.

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"It was very, very difficult for me because obviously I've lost a dear friend," she said.

“She taught me a lot and we had a lot of laughs over the years. When she was 82 years old she'd be partying in a nightclub, and she was just so amazing."

In a special episode that aired in December 2022, the residents of Walford were joined by some familiar faces from the past — including Mary the Punk and Lofty as well as groundbreaking couple Colin and Barry — to say goodbye to Dot.

Asked about leading this special memorial instalment, Natalie recalled: "There was a lot resting on my shoulders. I think I did her proud."

Related: 11 huge EastEnders spoilers for next week

The memorial week in 2022 was also memorable for two unannounced cameos, as Keanu Taylor set the wheels in motion for last year's Christmas Day whodunit and Ian Beale teased his eventual full-time return with Cindy.

Natalie has also recently launched a brand new podcast with Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page to discuss the week in TV, after the pair met backstage at Loose Women late last year.

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.

Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage

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