EastEnders will send off beloved character Dot Cotton with a special variation of the theme tune dubbed ‘June’s Theme’, in honour of the late June Brown OBE, MBE.
Traditionally, an extended piano piece called Julia’s Theme, named after the soap’s co-creator Julia Smith, has occasionally been played into the usual credits in place of the drum beats.
This usually happens for an episode’s ending that doesn’t quite fit the so-called ‘doof-doofs’, due to emotional impact.
At other times, it has been used to pay tribute to an ending for a particular character.
An all new version has been composed for the ending to Dot’s funeral episode, and one that will really make the emotional goodbye hit home.
EastEnders previously did this for Dame Barbara Windsor’s alter ego Peggy Mitchell, when she was given a send-off.
It all forms part of what the team at the show hope is a fitting ending for Dot, following June’s death at the age of 95.
Introducing the episode at a screening, show boss Chris Clenshaw paid tribute to June.
‘This is a very special episode for us; it’s one we’d rather not have had to do as it means having to say a final farewell to one of our most loved characters,’ he said.
‘When we said goodbye to June Brown earlier this year, we knew at some point we were going to have to say goodbye to Dot.
‘I’m sure June won’t mind us saying that when she was with us, she was adamant that she didn’t want Dot to be killed off.
‘She did of course know that when she did sadly leave us, that it was the right thing to do and we had to give her and the audience the send off they deserve.
‘So after some time, we knew we couldn’t put it off for much longer and we started to discuss these episodes. We of course spoke to June’s family, who also knew that this was what their mother would have wanted.
‘In fact, June’s children Nim, Sophie and Billy knew how much EastEnders meant to their mother, so much so that they requested to attend Dot’s funeral t o say their goodbyes, which was absolutely lovely for all of us involved.’
He continued to a hushed audience: ‘The word iconic is often thrown around but I think what June created in Dot was the definition of iconic. June appeared in 2284 episodes of EastEnders, I think it’s kind of impossible to sum up Dot in just a few words.
‘She arrived in Albert Square soon after the show launched, gossiping, chain smoking, Christian friend of Ethel Skinner, worked for Pauline Fowler in the launderette, she had difficulties with her husband Charlie and her son Nick.
‘What happened over the next 35 years was Dot becoming the beating heart of Albert Square, always there to give her opinion, always there to give advice, always there to open her home to anyone who wanted it, and even those who didn’t.
‘June’s performance as Dot could make you laugh, cry or just sit in awe as you watched her. She is still the only actor in soap to do one episode entirely on her own.
‘We want to raise a glass of tomato juice of sweet cherry, to Dot and to June. She really was one of a kind, a unique, glorious woman that left a lasting impression on everyone she met.’
Many members of the cast, crew, writing and production teams were in attendance, some who had not seen the episode at that point.
While certain that June would have been ‘thrilled’ with it, Natalie Cassidy admitted that it was quite an ‘upsetting’ watch for her.
Chris added: ‘Some of those from the show are at the screening tonight, all of whom knew her well, and all who have a tale to tell, most of which aren’t printable, which is really what made her special.
‘It’s time to say goodbye to our much loved Dot. June, I hope you’re watching down on us, and I hope we’ve done you proud. I am sure if we haven’t, you’d let us know in your own way!
‘Let’s raise a glass to Dot and June, you really were one of a kind!’
It’s fair to say that a nation will be doing just that as the first keys of Dot’s Theme play out.
EastEnders will air Dot’s funeral episodes from Monday December 12 at 7:30pm on BBC One, with episodes also airing on BBC iPlayer.
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