EastEnders fans were left ‘in tears’ over a ‘very poignant’ tribute to one of the show’s legendary late actresses.
It was a hectic night on the BBC soap, with sisters Sonia Fowler and Bianca Jackson leaving the show together as Natalie Cassidy and Patsy Palmer pursue new opportunities.
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Involved in a feud for several months, the pair put aside their differences as Bianca helped Sonia see that her dad Terry Cant wasn’t as nice as he was letting on.
Terry arrived earlier in the week for the first time following decades of viewers demanding he make an appearance, asking Sonia to move to Bali with him.
Exposing Terry for attacking her, Sonia eventually listened to Bianca’s pleas as they stole his plane tickets, car and speedboat and left Albert Square along with Bex and Julia Fowler.
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In an episode that boasted the return of Rocky Cotton, a nod to Sonia’s trumpet playing skills and Julia’s theme, it was the opening that left fans feeling emotional.
With 2025 being the year of the show’s 40th anniversary, the episode began with Sonia playing a voice recording from her late grandmother Dot Cotten.
“What did that little girl ever do? She didn’t do nothing. She just wanted someone to love her and care for her. To pin her drawings on the board. I’m sitting here and I’m still alone.
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“Out there a light, behind the windows, little girls are being tucked up by their mummies, told stories and sung to.
“They feel our pain… I’m still here and I have to go out that door and face the world. Everyone has got someone. The worst part is they’re playing and fighting amongst themselves. They don’t know what they got,” Dot could be heard saying.
The recording used is from a 2008 episode of EastEnders, where Dot sent a heartfelt message to her husband Jim Branning, revealing the real reasons why she wasn’t able to care for him anymore.
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Dot Cotton’s voice could be heard at the start of Sonia’s goodbye episode(Image: BBC)
Those watching the episode at home rushed to the EastEnders Reddit page to have their say on the unlikely vocal cameo from one of the show’s original characters.
@dwcrm said: “I loved that episode so much, it’s going into my top 5 for this year, I was in tears as soon as I heard Dots voice, there’s officially no more Jackson’s on the square.” @watchingenders added: “Incredibly heartwarming send off for Sonia even if the fast pace nearly dismantles it. Hearing Dot again was a nice touch.”
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@k_Self2241 wrote: “The sequence with Dot’s voice was very poignant, as were the little glimpses of the photos showing the Jackson family, Jamie, Jim, and Dot.” @iam28x posted: “An excellent start and excellent finish with some excellent bits throughout. Loved Dot’s opening and the ending was spot on.”
@itsamy_xo wrote on X: “Today’s episode was great. Stunning opening with Dot’s monologue.” @JosiahMothWHU noted: “Dot was in the credits.”
Played by the iconic June Brown, Dot Cotton appeared on EastEnders between its debut year in 1985 and 2020, appearing in over 2000 episodes.
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Sadly, June passed away in April 2022 at the age of 95, with the character of Dot dying off-screen the following December.
