June Brown “longed for a mate” in her final years after losing two husbands

June Brown lost her first husband John Garley to suicide when she was just 29 and Robert Arnold, the father of her five children, to dementia nearly 20 years ago and longed for one last romance

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June Brown: A look back at her life and career at EastEnders

In her later years, June Brown wanted to meet a man with whom they could enjoy sweet trips to the theater together.

The soap world is mourning the death of the legendary EastEnders actress aged 95.

Her family said they were “deeply saddened” to announce that their “beloved mother” died “very peacefully” at her home in Kent on Sunday.

Her fans and friends remember her incredible life and how she responded to the cruel hand that was often bestowed on her.

June, the iconic Dot Cotton on the show since the early 1980s, refused to be heartbroken by the devastating loss of her two husbands, daughter and two siblings.

Her first love, John Garley, tragically took his own life in 1957 after suffering from depression.

They married when she was only 23 but was a widow before her 30th birthday.

The star’s second husband, Robert Arnold, the father of her five children, died of Lewy Body dementia almost 20 years ago.

June opened up about a final romance that sadly never materialized in her autobiography, Before The Year Dot.

She wrote: “Am I satisfied? I should be I was always taught to say thank you for everything, good or bad.

“I miss Bob, but I don’t want another marriage. But I would like an escort. Someone I can go to the theater with.”

She was asked by the Scottish herald if she were a naughty girl – and had a pretty good answer.

“Not like Princess Diana – now she was naughty!

“But I fell very much in love. I was very honest in the book except that I don’t write about physical details.

“No way would I, apart from dear James, who was like a feather. The sex was terribly boring.”

Despite losing a child, two husbands, and her sister and brother, June always refused to say she had a difficult life.

“I can’t say my life has been dominated by tragedy,” she said. “I refuse to accept that. I had less than some, more than others.”

A spokesman for EastEnders confirmed June’s death on Monday, saying: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved June Brown, OBE, MBE sadly passed away last night.

“There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great sense of humor will never be forgotten.

“June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just on the soap opera but on British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June’s remarkable performances have created some of EastEnders’ finest moments.

“We send all our love and deepest sympathy to June’s family and friends. A very bright light went out at EastEnders today but we will all grow a sweet sherry in June’s memory.

“Rest in peace, our dearest June. You will never be forgotten.”