EastEnders star June Brown, 93, looks cheery as she enjoys a cigarette after revealing she can’t watch the soap anymore due to her failing eyesight
EastEnders legend June Brown appeared in great spirits as she stepped out for a sunny stroll in Surrey last week.
The actress, 93, who recently revealed she can’t watch the BBC One soap anymore due to her deteriorating eyesight, was seen enjoying a cigarette during her refreshing walk.
After quitting her famous 35-year role as Dot Cotton in February, the TV veteran treated herself to some downtime as she made most of the sunny weather.
Cheery: EastEnders legend June Brown appeared in great spirits as she stepped out for a sunny stroll in Surrey last week
The award-winning thespian was dressed in a baby blue T-shirt, which she tucked into an elegant brown skater skirt.
Her signature pearl earrings, a heart pendant necklace and brown ballerina-style shoes rounded off June’s appearance.
The TV, film and theatre star’s outing came just days after she admitted she can no longer watch the show that made her a household name because of her failing vision.
In an interview, she said she struggles to see the television after being diagnosed with the incurable eye condition macular degeneration.
Beaming: The actress, 93, who recently revealed she can’t watch the BBC One soap anymore due to her deteriorating eyesight, was seen enjoying a cigarette during her refreshing walk
The Needham Market native told The Mirror: ‘I haven’t been watching it as I find it difficult to see the television very clearly.
‘If your sight is poor, there’s very little you can do. I read my Kindle instead. I can see where everything is around the house but nothing’s clear.’
In June 2017, she revealed she had undergone a controversial operation by Harley Street ophthalmologist Bobby Qureshi, who has since been investigated by a medical disciplinary panel over allegations of dishonesty and misconduct, and struck off.
In her element: After quitting her famous 35-year role as Dot Cotton in February, the TV veteran treated herself to some downtime as she made most of the sunny weather
Elegant: The award-winning thespian was dressed in a baby blue T-shirt, which she tucked into a brown skater skirt
The Edna, the Inebriate Woman star left her role as cigarette smoking gossip Dot behind earlier this year, though a spokesperson for the soap insisted the door has been left open for her return.
Speaking on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast, June said: ‘It’s almost as if I’ve been bereaved. I don’t want a retainer for EastEnders, I’ve left. I’ve left for good.
‘I’ve sent her off to Ireland where she’ll stay. I’ve left EastEnders. I did make up a limerick. It’s a bit dirty.
She then recited the limerick: ‘I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke. I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back.’
‘If your sight is poor, there’s very little you can do’: The TV veteran said she struggles to see the TV after being diagnosed with macular degeneration (pictured as Dot)