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June Brown Actually Appeared In 'Coronation Street' Long Before 'EastEnders'

She is celebrating her 90th birthday today.
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By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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June Brown may be synonymous with ‘EastEnders’, having played Dot Cotton for the past 30 years, but did you know she once starred in ’Coronation Street’?

Nope, us neither. 

‘Corrie’ bosses decided to mark the soap veteran’s 90th birthday by reminding fans she graced t’cobbles long before arriving in Albert Square. 

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June Brown appeared on 'Coronation Street' in 1971
ITV

They shared a clip of June on the ITV soap in 1971, where she played guest character Mrs Parsons. 

In the video, she shares a scene with ‘Corrie’ icon Ena Sharples, who was played by the late Violet Carson. 

‘Coronation Street’ wasn’t the only rival soap to extend its birthday wishes to June, sharing a message on Twitter. 

Many of June’s co-stars past and present also shared their good wishes on the social media site: 

June first appeared on ‘EastEnders’ as Dot Cotton on July 1985, a few months after the soap’s launch. 

She later quit in 1993, only to return four years later, and has remained on the show ever since.

She is to be honoured with a BBC special, airing tonight (16 February), which will focus on her life and career, including her 30 years on ‘EastEnders’.

She will reveal how she first landed the role as Walford’s chain-smoking busy-body, and developed her into the soap icon she is today, as well as spilling the beans on life behind the scenes, including a fall-out with a fellow cast member. 

‘June Brown At 90: A Walford Legend’ airs tonight at 8.30pm on BBC One. 

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. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:News (UK) Ltd/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Betty Driver(08 of15)
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Played: Betty Williams (1969 - 2011, 'Coronation Street')

Hotpot, anyone? (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:Nils Jorgensen/REX/Shutterstock)
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? (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:WHAT'S ON TV/REX/Shutterstock)
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. (credit:ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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)
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