Read more about Dot Branning at: Wikipedia

Official Site: BBC

Dorothy "Dot" Branning (née Colwell; previously Cotton) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, played by June Brown since 1985. In a special episode entitled EastEnders: Dot's Story (2003) a young Dot was played by Tallulah Pitt-Brown in flashbacks. Dot first appeared in EastEnders in July 1985 as the mother of criminal Nick Cotton. The character has worked as a launderette assistant for most of that time along with original character Pauline Fowler. Dot moved away with her son and his family in 1993. In reality, Brown left the show in 1993, unhappy with the direction of Dot's characterisation. Brown returned to the role in 1997, and Dot was shown moving back to Albert Square, and has continued since that time. Dot is the second longest-serving character currently appearing in EastEnders, surpassed only by original character Ian Beale. In April 2012, Brown took a six-month break from the show to write her memoirs. Dot temporarily departed on 18 May 2012. She returned on the 14 January 2013.

A tragicomic character, Dot is known for her devout Christian faith, gossiping, chain smoking, hypochondria, and motherly attitude to those in need. A recurring storyline in the serial has been Dot's continuous forgiveness of her son's villainous crimes. Originally married in the series to conman Charlie Cotton, Dot was married again in 2002 to pensioner Jim Branning (John Bardon). The union has proven popular with fans, and Brown and Bardon have won awards for their screen partnership. On 31 January 2008, Dot became the first character ever to appear in a monologue episode of a British soap. The acclaimed episode saw Dot reminiscing about her years of loss and grief into a tape recorder as a message to her ailing husband Jim. Dot has been used to explore topical and controversial issues such as euthanasia, cancer, immigration and homophobia.

Dot has been generally well received by critics; she has been referred to as a cultural archetype and Brown has won multiple awards for her portrayal. However, aspects of the character such as her smoking and her religious beliefs have been criticised, with religious groups suggesting Dot's faith is used in a pejorative manner. The character has also made an impact on popular culture; she has been spoofed, most notably by Alistair McGowan, and has been credited as inspiration for catwalk collections. She has been dubbed a gay icon and a gay club in Cambridge has been named after her.

Dot was born in Walford, but during the Second World War, she was evacuated to Wales. She became very close to her guardians, Gwen (Eve Myles) and Will (Dafydd Emyr), who wished to adopt her. She came back to Walford after Will’s death and spent the remainder of her childhood helping her mother care for her siblings, Gerry, Tim, and Rose (Polly Perkins).

Dot Branning has not been a contender in any CBUB matches.