{"id":26460,"date":"2022-12-02T01:01:41","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T00:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1748656"},"modified":"2022-12-02T04:03:42","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T03:03:42","slug":"eastenders-first-look-at-dot-branning-funeral-as-lauren-colin-and-mary-return","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/eastenders-first-look-at-dot-branning-funeral-as-lauren-colin-and-mary-return\/","title":{"rendered":"EastEnders first look at Dot Branning funeral as Lauren, Colin and Mary return"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Helen Daly\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 02 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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BBC soap EastEnders<\/a> will be saying goodbye to iconic Dot Branning following the sad loss of June Brown earlier this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In the coming weeks, the EastEnders cast<\/a> will gather together to pay tribute to the iconic character\u2019s life in Walford after her death at the beginning of the month.<\/a><\/p>\n

According to the BBC soap, word spreads beyond Walford and reaches her old friends, Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman), Mary The Punk (Linda Davidson), Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt), Disa O\u2019Brien (Jan Graveson) and Barry Clark (Gary Hailes) who all go out of their way for Dot.<\/p>

And over in New Zealand, Dot\u2019s step-granddaughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) hops on a plane to represent Jim\u2019s side of the family.<\/p>\n

But back in Albert Square, Dot\u2019s step-granddaughter Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy) struggles with her immense grief and pressure to do Dot proud.<\/p>\n

Needing support, Sonia turns to ex-husband Martin Fowler (James Bye) and Reverend Eileen Mills (Melanie Kilburn) for guidance on giving Dot the Christian send-off she would want.<\/p>\n

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Dot Branning\u2019s funeral in EastEnders<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, as the day Sonia was dreading approaches, she realises she hasn\u2019t written the eulogy and she starts to panic.<\/p>\n

Teasing what\u2019s to come, EastEnders added: \u201cAlong the way, there are some big surprises, fond memories, and a newcomer with a connection to Dot who could change one Walford lady\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

That newcomer, of course, is Dot\u2019s great-nephew Reiss Colwell, played by Silent Witness<\/a> actor Jonny Freeman who will also be a love interest for Sonia.<\/p>\n

Speaking about returning for the episodes, Lord Michael Cashman has revealed why he had to return as Colin Russell, last seen visiting Dot in 2016.<\/p>\n

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Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman, right) with Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) and Zack Hudson (James Farrar)<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cWhen I got the first message asking if I\u2019d be interested in returning, it was an unequivocal, unqualified \u2018yes’\u201d, revealed Lord Cashman. \u201cI couldn\u2019t imagine Colin not being at his amazing friend Dot\u2019s funeral and I couldn\u2019t imagine not being there for June. She created a television icon that will stretch beyond the test of time. I had to be there, and I was humbled that they thought of me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another classic character who returns is Mary \u201cThe Punk\u201d Smith who was last seen returning alongside fellow returnee Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt) for the funeral of Dr Harold Legg in 2019.<\/p>\n

Mary\u2019s actress Linda Davidson said of her return: \u201cThe word honour is very right because I did feel honoured. I felt really humbled by the reverence she was afforded for those two episodes, and quite rightly so.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Dr Legg\u2019s funeral happened, none of the curtains on the Square were drawn, and June thought it wasn\u2019t very respectful, so it was very pleasing to see that all the curtains were drawn as a mark of respect for her. She cared a lot about things like that, and she\u2019ll be very pleased that it did happen for Dot\u2019s funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jacqueline Jossa as Lauren Branning hugging Sonia Fowler in EastEnders<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Meanwhile, speaking about where we find Lauren Branning now, actress Jacqueline Jossa revealed: \u201cShe\u2019s still the same old Lauren, but maybe grown up a little bit! I think she\u2019ll be able to provide some updates about other members of the Branning family!<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully, Lauren coming home is something positive and light. Obviously, Lauren is upset to lose Grandma Dot, but it\u2019s a bittersweet feeling to be back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lauren is seen in the first look images tearfully hugging her cousin Sonia after travelling from New Zealand where she lives with her son Louis Beale, who was fathered by Peter Beale.<\/p>\n

Of course, there will be many of the Square\u2019s current characters attending too, including long-running favourites Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Denise Fox (Diane Parish), Jack Branning (Scott Maslen), and more.<\/p>\n

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Lord Michael Cashman as Colin Russell, Letitia Dean as Sharon Watts, James Farrar as Zack Hudson, Frankie Day as Ricky Mitchell and Diane Parish as Denise Fox in EastEnders<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Speaking about the funeral episodes, actor Tom Watt who plays returnee Lofty Holloway revealed: \u201cI think it\u2019s pitched perfectly. There is some really good writing and really good acting. There was also a feeling of respect about the whole thing, which was great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, returnee Gary Hailes who played Colin\u2019s on-screen boyfriend and barrow boy Barry Clark, said: \u201cJune was the ultimate professional, and she wanted you to know your lines, preferably in the right order. She wanted everyone to succeed, but she would call out anyone who lacked commitment or professionalism<\/p>\n

\u201cShe used to say, \u2018We are lucky that we do what we do, so let\u2019s do it the best\u2019. Her legacy is to show what brilliant work and commitment can achieve. Walk through the door, commit yourself to what you are doing, and walk out with your head high.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dot Branning\u2019s hearse sets off in EastEnders<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC\/Jack Barnes\/Kieron McCarron<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

One thing is for certain, there likely won\u2019t be a dry eye in the house when the emotional scenes air.<\/p>\n

EastEnders airs Dot\u2019s funeral episodes on the week commencing Monday 12th December 2022 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n