A once-unique Christmas episode trend on EastEnders featured the enduringly famous Dot Cotton.
The god-fearing, chain-smoking Walford legend appeared on the BBC serial opera twice between 1985 and 2020.
The character died in 2022, two years after her final appearance, mimicking actress June Brown’s actual passing.
Many years have passed, but Dot is still warmly recalled on the set of the show in Hertfordshire, where photos and furnishings from her period at No. 25 Albert Square, her previous residence, have been kept.
Thanks to boxsets of more recent episodes from 2000 onwards available on BBC iPlayer and classic programs that are rerun every day on U&Drama, fans may also relive some of her best moments.
Thanks to the throwbacks, one of Dot’s little eccentricities has been noticed.
Did you know that for thirty-two years, she dressed the same way for Christmas?
The red-patterned gown, which made its debut in the 1988 Christmas edition, was worn religiously for every Yuletide event that followed.
It should come as no surprise that the item has held up so well over time given that the character works at the Bridge Street Laundromat.
It certainly brings up memories of Dot’s difficult upbringing during the war, when valuable clothes—often referred to as one’s “Sunday best”—were treasured.
She experienced memories about her World War II evacuation to Wales in a special episode that aired in 2003.
Characters in soap operas frequently have characteristic looks. For example, Dot was known to wear a beige jacket in practically every episode. She was renowned for wearing a variety of headscarves. However, this specific outfit was only ever worn on December 25.
June appeared in some strong Christmas episodes while she was a cast member. We can all recall where we were when it was discovered that Max Branning (Jake Wood) had an affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner)… and there sat poor Dot on the couch!
The day before, Jim Branning (John Bardon), undoubtedly her most well-known Christmas tale, got engaged to her on top of the London Eye.
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