A number of former EastEnders stars are returning to Albert Square to film scenes for Dot Cotton’s funeral.

June Brown, who portrayed the long-running soap character, died in April at age 95.

Although she’d played the role since 1985, Brown stepped away from the programme in 2020, putting her departure down to feeling underwhelmed by the recent storylines she’d been offered.

Dot’s final appearance on the show took place in January 2020 via a voicemail left for Sonia Fowler (Natalie Cassidy), explaining that she had fled Albert Square for Ireland.

In light of Brown’s real-life death, the soap will announce the character’s demise in the coming weeks.

As a way of paying respects to both the character and the actor, EastEnders will air special funeral scenes saying goodbye later this year, which will see some characters return for the occasion.

A notable returning character includes Dot’s granddaughter,...