EastEnders fans emotional over Dot Cotton’s ‘cameo’ three years after d.e.a.t.h

Dot Cotton made a return of sorts to EastEnders on Thursday night(Image: BBC)

Dot Cotton made a return of sorts to EastEnders on Thursday night for the final episode of Sonia Fowler.

Viewers were left emotional by the “poignant” scene, as we heard Dot’s voice onscreen for the first time in a long while. Dot d.i.e.d offscreen in a heartbreaking plot back in 2022, with Walford gathering to say goodbye.

Soap legend June Brown who played Dot had passed away earlier that year leaving fans and her co-stars devastated. To hear Dot’s voice in a sort of cameo on Thursday night was welcomed by emotional viewers, who called it “a nice touch”.

With icon Sonia bowing out in the episode, after actress Natalie Cassidy quit the role, the show featured a number of nods to Sonia’s past. In the opening scene, the episode played out Dot’s voice on a recording.

The recording was a monologue by Dot, and it saw both Dot and icon June added to the end credits of the episode. In her monologue she spoke of being alone and having to face the world.The monologue had been recorded by Dot for her husband Jim Branning as he recovered from a stroke in hospital, over 10 years ago on the show. Sonia was shown listening to it, before making a decision about her future.

Dot d.i.e.d offscreen in a heartbreaking plot back in 2022(Image: BBC)

As the episode ended, June’s name was featured in the credits with the rest of the cast as well as her character name Dot Branning. Viewers took to social media over the “lovely” nod to the icon.

One fan said: “Lovely Dot / June cameo in today’s episode.” Another fan said: “Dot was in the credits,” as a third viewer posted: “I was in tears as soon as I heard Dot’s voice.”

A fourth fan commented: “Incredibly heartwarming send off for Sonia even if the fast pace nearly dismantles it. Hearing Dot again was a nice touch.” A further post read: “The sequence with Dot’s voice was very poignant.”

One fan said of the episode: “Today’s episode was great. Stunning opening with Dot’s monologue. Lovely scenes between Yolande & Avani. Sonia & Rocky was sweet to watch too. Sonia, Bianca, Bex, & baby using the Bali tickets. Jean finally being nice again. Another Julia’s Theme. Great end to the week.”

Another commented: “Can we have a ‘best send off ever’ category at the Soap Awards? Sonia’s will win hands down, such a brilliant episode. It had it all, from hearing Dot’s voice, the lovely surprise from Rocky and of course the trumpet. Loved it all!”

Sonia Fowler actress Natalie Cassidy bowed out of EastEnders on Thursday night(Image: BBC/Eastenders)

Sonia left Walford for good at the end of the episode on Thursday night, but she was not alone. The BBC soap announced the departures of three other characters too. Natalie Cassidy bowed out of the show after three decades, with it confirmed earlier this year she had quit the soap.

Four characters in total bowed out in the latest episode, including Walford favourite Bianca Jackson played by Patsy Palmer, who is currently in the Celebrity Big Brother house. With them were Sonia’s daughter Bex and her other daughter baby Julia.

Natalie has been open about her exit from the show. Speaking about it, she said: “I’m 42 this year, I just feel like it’s time to be brave. You don’t want to get to 70 and think, ‘I never tried that’. I’ve loved this programme with all my heart. I started at ten, it’s in my bones, it’s in my heart. I’d been thinking about it for a little while. I had a wonderful chat with Chris back in the summer. It’s just exciting.

“You can’t hypothesise or worry about what’s going to happen to your character. That is down to the boss and the storyliners as the fate of Sonia is in their hands. I’ve had to take a deep breath, and go, ‘I’ve made my decision, I’ve just got to let it play out.'”