A rare throwback clip of EastEnders stalwart June Brown appearing in Coronation Street more than 45 years ago has been shared by the soap, leading the tributes on the veteran star’s 90th birthday.
While June is best known for appearing as Dot Cotton in the BBC’s serial drama for over three decades, she had a minor role in the ITV soap in 1970 and 1971 as Mrs Parsons.
To mark her landmark birthday, a short scene with June, on-screen son Tony Parsons (David Hill) and Weatherfield icon Ena Sharples (Violet Carson) was posted on the official Coronation Street Twitter account.
Happy 90th birthday to soap legend June Brown. Before the @bbceastenders Square she graced the Street. Here's a look back to 1971. #Corrie pic.twitter.com/dhgqrv20nm
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) February 16, 2017
June made three appearances as Mrs Parsons, whose son Tony received harmonium lessons from long-running character Ena.She later went on to join the cast of EastEnders shortly after it began in 1985 and she has been a mainstay of the Walford-based soap ever since.
Happy 90th birthday #JuneBrown You are a legend. pic.twitter.com/v1M9zy4nFQ
— Adam Woodyatt (@AdamWoodyatt) February 16, 2017
Happy 90th birthday to June Brown #foreveryoung ??? pic.twitter.com/jQXvpc4rFO
— Jessie Wallace (@JessieWallaceUK) February 16, 2017
Tributes poured in from June’s EastEnders co-stars on the big day, with Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt declaring her “a legend” and Jessie Wallace sharing a photograph of a young June.
Happy 90th birthday June brown ??we love you so so much! @bbceastenders #legend
— Jacqueline Jossa (@jacquelineMjos) February 16, 2017
I would just like to say what an absolute pleasure it is working with the legend that is June Brown! She never ceases to amaze me! Love you
— SCOTT MASLEN (@RealScottMaslen) February 15, 2017
JUNE BROWN the most amazing woman .. funny .. talented .. teacher and friend HAPPY BIRTHDAY you wonderful lady you ! ????????????????????????????????????????
— Cheryl Fergison (@cherylfergison1) February 16, 2017
June Brown is 90 years old today! Always adored Dot. Iconic, legendary, not one to gossip @bbceastenders #90
— Davood (@DavoodGhadami) February 16, 2017
Cheryl Fergison, known for playing Heather Trott in the BBC soap, praised June as “the most amazing woman, funny, talented, teacher and friend” and wished her a happy birthday.
“June Brown is 90 years old today!” wrote Davood Ghadami, who plays Kush Kazemi.
Joking about her gossip-loving character, he added: “Always adored Dot. Iconic, legendary, not one to gossip @bbceastenders #90.”
June’s long career will be celebrated in a BBC One documentary entitled June Brown At 90: A Walford Legend, which sees her discussing her life and career, from her early days in theatre to her famous soap role.
The 30-minute special airs on Thursday at 8.30pm and features tributes from many EastEnders regulars including Adam, Danny Dyer, Gillian Taylforth, Rudolph Walker, Lacey Turner and Natalie Cassidy.
June is also reunited with John Altman, who played her troublesome on-screen son Nick Cotton.