'EastEnders' Fans Voice Upset As Dot Cotton Appears To Bid Farewell To Albert Square

But others just want to know if she's run off with Danny Dyer.

‘EastEnders’ fans were left in shock after Thursday night’s (12 October) episode, when Dot Branning appeared to turn her back on Walford after 30 years.

Viewers were left in disbelief when Dot announced she was taking some time away from Albert Square to visit family by the seaside in Wales, telling her grandson Robbie Jackson of her plans, out of the blue.

When an emotional Robbie asked, “how long are you thinking, grandma?”, she ignored the question, instead handing over her cat, Dave, for him to take care of.

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The emotional scene between Robbie and Dot moved many viewers
BBC

After a rough few years for Dot, distraught ‘EastEnders’ viewers were wondering whether this was it for June Brown’s long-standing character, voicing their concerns on social media:

However, others couldn’t help noticing that she was taking time away from the area just as Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, was also leaving, prompting some to speculate whether they’d be heading off on a road trip together:

Fortunately, anyone concerned about Dot’s future on ‘EastEnders’ needn’t worry, as a spokesperson for the soap has assured Digital Spy: Dot will be back on our screens very soon.”

Soap actress June Brown first joined ‘EastEnders’ in 1985, just a few months into the show’s first run, and was introduced as the mother of criminal Nick Cotton.

It didn’t take long for Dot to take centre stage, though, and has been involved in some of the soap’s most famous storylines during her 32 years in Albert Square.

June celebrated her 90th birthday earlier this year, which was commemorated by the BBC with a special tribute show.

TV's Longest Serving Soap Stars
Bill Roache(01 of15)
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Played: Ken Barlow (1960 - Present, 'Coronation Street')

William, or Bill as he's known, was one of the original stars in Tony Warren's series. In the decades since, we've seen his character marry four different women, though Deirdre Barlow will always be his soulmate.
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Adam Woodyatt(02 of15)
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Played: Ian Beale (1985 - Present, 'EastEnders')

Not only is Ian the longest-serving 'EastEnders' character, but he's also the most married, following five ceremonies - though he did marry Jane twice.
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Chrisopher Chittell(03 of15)
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Played: Eric Pollard (1986 - Present, 'Emmerdale')

Pollard has been at the centre of many big storylines, but none were more touching than his - often hilarious -relationship with Val.
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Eileen Derbyshire(04 of15)
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Played: Emily Bishop (1960 - Present, 'Coronation Street')

Emily is the longest-standing female character in 'Corrie', and though she's taken a handful of breaks from the soap, actress Eileen has always returned to t'cobbles.
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Pam St Clement(05 of15)
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Played: Pat Butcher (1986 - 2012, 2016, 'EastEnders')

We thought we'd seen the last of Pat in 2012, when she was killed off in emotional scenes. Little did we know, she'd be back for Peggy Mitchell's farewell.
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Barbara Knox(06 of15)
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Played: Rita Tanner (1964, 1972 - Present, 'Coronation Street')

After making a brief appearance in 1964, Barbara returned to the soap just under a decade later.
(credit:Ben Curtis/PA Archive)
Richard Thorp(07 of15)
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Played: Alan Turner (1982 - 2013, 'Emmerdale')

Richard made his last appearance in the soap in July 2013, and his character was killed off, off-screen, three months later. Sadly, the actor then died in late October.
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Betty Driver(08 of15)
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Played: Betty Williams (1969 - 2011, 'Coronation Street')

Hotpot, anyone?
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Wendy Richard(09 of15)
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Played: Pauline Fowler (1985 - 2006, 'EastEnders')

The formidable Pauline was one of Walford's most-loved matriarchs.
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Stan Richards(10 of15)
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Played: Seth Armstrong (1978 - 2003, 2004, 'Emmerdale')

The role was at first a bit part but due to Stan's popularity, he stayed in the Dales. And it simply wouldn't have been the same without him.
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Steve McFadden(11 of15)
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Played: Phil Mitchell (1990 - 2003, 2005 - Present)

Steve was honoured for his work on the soap at the 2016 British Soap Awards, where he received the Outstanding Achievement Award.
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Sheila Mercier(12 of15)
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Played: Annie Sugden (1972 - 1994, 1995, 1996, 2009, 'Emmerdale')

What would Annie make of what her grandsons Robert and Andy are getting up to at the moment?
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Helen Worth(13 of15)
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Played: Gail Platt (1974, 1975 - Present, 'Coronation Street')

Over the years, Gail has had to deal with many unexpected moments, and Tina O'Brien's (pictured) teen pregnancy was just one of many that hit headlines.
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Clive Horby(14 of15)
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Played: Jack Sugden (1980 - 2008, 'Emmerdale')

Between 1972 and 1976, the role was played by actor Andrew Burt, but Clive made it his own when he arrived in the Dales.
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June Brown(15 of15)
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Played: Dot Cotton (1985 - 1993, 1997 - 2012, 2013 - Present)

Words cannot even express how grateful we are to have Dot in the Square.
(credit:BBC)