June Brown may retire from ‘EastEnders’ next year.
The legendary actress, 88, has played the role of chain-smoker Dot Branning in the soap since 1985 and, although she’s just signed a £300,000 contract which ties her to the show until next March, she’s hinted she may turn her back on Walford when her contract expires in 13 months’ time.
She explained: "I don’t know how long I’ll stay. I don’t think I want to end my life on a soap, but we’ll see.
"I don’t want to be 100, or even 90. I don’t think I look nearly 90, but because I can’t see these days I don’t know. You don’t think about your age, you just knock it down."
However, although June is keen to bow out before she’s written out, the talented star doesn’t like to make future plans because they have a tendency to go "wrong."
She said: "I’ve been in the soap for 30 years but you never know what’s going to happen, and you really don’t want to make plans about how long you should stay because they could all go wrong."
Meanwhile, June is grateful bosses have decided to keep her in storylines but she wishes she had more screen time.
She told The Sun newspaper: "I’m very fortunate they still want me because you hear of older actresses who say there is no work, because people like to see beautiful young faces …
"I would like to be in the show more than I am because a job gives me structure to my life and days. It also keeps my brain alive and cheerful."
EastEnders’ June Brown to retire next year?
