{"id":26991,"date":"2022-12-12T20:58:46","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T19:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1753089"},"modified":"2022-12-12T23:17:45","modified_gmt":"2022-12-12T22:17:45","slug":"who-didnt-return-for-dot-brannings-funeral-in-eastenders","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/who-didnt-return-for-dot-brannings-funeral-in-eastenders\/","title":{"rendered":"Who didn\u2019t return for Dot Branning\u2019s funeral in EastEnders?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Lewis Knight\n \t\t<\/p>

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

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There were a number of guests at the emotional funeral for Dot Branning in EastEnders <\/a>tonight.<\/p>\n

Monday night\u2019s funeral episode (12th December 2022) saw a number of old faces return<\/a> to the BBC One soap to pay their respects to Dot Branning (previously Cotton).<\/p>\n

Among the returns were Dot\u2019s friends Colin Russell (Lord Michael Cashman), Mary \u2018The Punk\u2019 Smith (Linda Davidson), Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt), and Disa O\u2019Brien (Jan Graveson).<\/p>\n

Additionally, Dot\u2019s step-granddaughter Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) also returned from New Zealand for the funeral.<\/p>\n

Finally, fans were also treated to a surprise cameo from the soap\u2019s longest-serving cast member as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) returned for his own private goodbye.<\/p>\n

Prior to the airing of the episode, EastEnders\u2019 executive producer Chris Clenshaw revealed that further returns had been planned but logistically did not work out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, like, we go to funerals, you see people that you haven\u2019t seen for decades, that will make an effort to go to that funeral because they made an impression on that person\u2019s life,\u201d Clenshaw explained to RadioTimes.com<\/a> and other press. \u201cThere were people that couldn\u2019t come, unfortunately, and that was due to logistical reasons. But it was about being authentic. It was about being truthful to Dot\u2019s character and to who would be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

So, which faces from Dot\u2019s life did not manage to make it back in time for the funeral?<\/p>

Who didn\u2019t return for Dot Branning\u2019s funeral in EastEnders?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Rose Cotton (Polly Perkins)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Polly Perkins as Rose Cotton in EastEnders.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It was revealed last week that Dot\u2019s half-sister Rose Cotton, played by Polly Perkins, was not available to attend the funeral.<\/p>\n

Sonia (Natalie Cassidy) revealed that Rose was stuck on a cruise but asked them to go ahead with the funeral on Monday 12th December 2022.<\/p>\n

Andrew Cotton (Ricky Grover)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Ricky Grover as Andrew Cotton in EastEnders.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Rose\u2019s son Andrew Cotton \u2013 who was briefly engaged to the late Heather Trott \u2013 also did not attend.<\/p>\n

Sonia revealed that Andrew was on the cruise with his mother and that neither would make it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Declan Bennett as Charlie Cotton in EastEnders.<\/span><\/figcaption> BBC<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Charlie is with his wife Lisa in Northern Ireland, with their child and also Matthew Mitchell-Cotton, Charlie\u2019s son from his marriage to the late Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack).<\/p>\n

Charlie was revealed last week to be missing Dot\u2019s funeral as he tested positive for COVID, much to the irritation of his half-sister Dotty Cotton.<\/p>\n