EastEnders returnee Linda Davidson reveals touching detail in Dot Branning's funeral episode

Former EastEnders star Linda Davidson has shared more details about Dot Branning's upcoming funeral episode, revealing the soap's touching gesture to the late actress June Brown.

Davidson, who played rebellious Mary Smith between 1985 and 1988, is one of many actors returning to Albert Square in order to pay their respects to June Brown, who passed away earlier this year.

Speaking about the upcoming episodes, Davidson said she felt the tribute perfectly honoured the late actress.

BBC

"The word honour is very right because I did feel honoured. I felt really humbled by the reverence she was afforded for those two episodes, and quite rightly so," she said.

She went on to reveal that producers had made sure to draw all the curtains in the Square while filming as a mark of respect for the soap legend, adding: "When Dr Legg’s funeral happened, none of the curtains on the Square were drawn, and June thought it wasn’t very respectful, so it was very pleasing to see that all the curtains were drawn as a mark of respect for her.

"She cared a lot about things like that, and she’ll be very pleased that it did happen for Dot’s funeral."

BBC

Davidson, who also returned to the soap for Dr Legg's send off in 2019, will be joined for Dot's funeral by several other EastEnders' alumni.

Also returning to Walford are Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning), Lord Michael Cashman (Colin Russell), Gary Hailes (Barry Clark), Tom Watt (Lofty Holloway) and Jan Graveson (Disa O'Brien).

EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer.