June Brown has played EastEnders icon Dot Branning since 1985. Earlier this year she won critical acclaim when she performed the show's first solo episode.

June said of the honour: "It's lovely to be joining the actors Rudolph Walker, Barbara Windsor and of course Wendy Richard from EastEnders in being given an honour. I'm delighted for my main charity, The Michael Elliott Trust, of which I am president, and all my smaller charities. Not forgetting my family who are very happy for me."

EastEnders Executive Producer Diederick Santer spoke of June as "a truly special woman and perfomer,“ adding, "We're incredibly proud of her as she receives this much-deserved honour.”

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