Memories of June Brown, Dot Cotton, from photographer in Cornwall

It was announced on Monday that the actress, best known for playing Dot Cotton in BBC1 soap EastEnders, had died at the age of 95.

The sad news prompted many people, including a host of celebrities, to share their memories – but not many people in Cornwall can claim to have had such a close friendship with the actress as photographer James Kitto.

James, from Porthleven, knew June for more than 30 years, having first met when he was at university back in 1987.

Recalling the moment they first crossed paths, James said: "I was a great EastEnders fan at the time, and made my way to the Elstree Studios one Saturday to see if I could spot any of the cast.

"I spotted several arriving and leaving in their cars, and as it began to get dusk, a car pulled up beside me, the window wound down and a familiar voice enquired ‘Would you like an autograph, dear?’ – it was June Brown.

"We started chatting and then she offered me a lift to Elstree & Borehamwood railway station. On the way, she asked where I was heading – when I explained that I was heading for Egham (Surrey), she suggested she drive me across London to Clapham Junction Station, as it was on her way and would get me home much quicker.

"We chatted all the way and I remember laughing so much at the hilarious stories she was telling. When I got back to my university room, I wrote her a little thank you letter – I never really expected to hear back from her.

June with a young James, in her Elstree dressing room

"However, a few days later she left a telephone message at the university requesting that I give her a call. I duly telephoned her and she explained that she was so impressed that a youngster had bothered to write her a thank you letter, and that she wanted to meet me for lunch the following Saturday."

The pair hit it off and it led to something of an unusual Saturday job for the young James.

"We got on famously, and following on from that I ended up spending each Saturday having lunch with her and sorting her fan-mail for her in her dressing room.

"How I loved listening to the stories she told on those Saturday afternoons! She saw me through a difficult time; if it weren’t for her words of wisdom, her kindness and encouragement, I am quite sure that I would have given up university in that first term.

"Through June, I made some wonderful friends, and for that I shall always be grateful."

June and James with with Anna Wing, who played Lou Beale

One of June's favourite stories to tell James was the day that she showed the Queen a photograph he had taken of her at an awards ceremony, which she had enlarged.

It was during a royal visit to the Elstree Studios and June was in the make up room, in full 'Dot' costume that she showed the Queen the photograph to, in June's words, "show her what I really look like!"

It was not until years later, however, that a "thrilled" James got to see a photograph of that very moment, when it was featured on a Graham Norton Show EastEnders Special.

June showing the Queen the photo that James took of her, as shown on the Graham Norton Show

James added: "June and I kept in touch and it was always a joy to meet up with her – she was always enormous fun to spend time with.

"She was an incredible person – so intelligent, so kind, so wise and the funniest person I have ever met, as well as being a highly skilled actress.

"She has worked tirelessly for a host of charities and I was so proud that she was recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List, when she was awarded an OBE.

"We have lost a national treasure, an incredible actress – and I have lost a treasured friend."