|
Fans were shocked to discover that EastEnders' secret Dot Cotton Christmas trend has been around for over 32 years.
Todd played June Brown, the nation's sweetheart in the BBC soap for almost 40 years.
April died of natural causes in June 2022 at the age of 95, and her character passed away on her own when the cast of Albert Square reunited for Todd's funeral that year.
Now, looking back at his iconic episodes, fans have noticed that Todd has worn the same outfit in every Christmas Day episode since 1988.
Between 1988 and her last holiday appearance in 2020, Todd made sure to wear the same red dress to celebrate the holiday season with friends and family.
EastEnders fans were shocked to discover Dot Cotton's secret Christmas trend that's been going on for over 32 years; Image 2009
Dodd plays late June, who has been the country's sweetheart on the BBC soap for almost 40 years and has worn the same outfit in every Christmas Day episode since 1988.
Her iconic look was a red, collared printed dress and she often chose to wear it under a scarf, coat or jacket.
For the most part, Todd would accompany her on her holiday vacation and preferred to wear a pale yellow cardigan over the dress.
Although some soap opera characters often have a distinctive appearance and rewear the same outfits from time to time, it is rare for a character to keep an outfit for more than thirty years.
Over the years, Todd has played a central role in Christmas stories and has never been far from Queen Vic or her home preparing dinner for the Cotton-cum-Brunning clan.
However, his most famous Christmas story took place on Christmas Eve and not Christmas Day.
In 2002, Dot's future husband, Jim Branning, proposed to her on Christmas Eve aboard the London Eye.
In 2008, Dodd wore the dress when she met her granddaughter Dottie for the first time.
Her son Nick brought his little girl for the Christmas holidays in 2008, when she made her big return to the soap after seven years away.
Between 1988 and her last holiday appearance in 2020, Todd made sure to wear the same red dress to celebrate the holiday season with her friends and family; Image 2008
Her iconic look was a printed red dress with a collar, and she often chose to wear it under a scarf, coat or jacket; Image 2016
Todd often chose to accompany her on her festive vacations and wear a pale yellow cardigan over the dress; Image 1992
In 2022, the character of June was honored with her own acting farewell in Albert Square. An episode broadcast eight months after his death in which they gather for the character's funeral.
The on-screen funeral was also attended by June's real children Sophie, Nim and Billy, who were asked to be part of the emotional scenes.
In a poignant but poignant episode, the late Mrs. Branning is buried alongside her close friend Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin), who died in 2000 following her terminal cancer diagnosis.
Sonia wanted to re-listen to the tape Todd recorded for her late husband, Jim, who suffered a stroke in 2007. He later died of a fatal heart attack in 2015.
But it wouldn't be a special episode for the beloved Todd Cotton if the old characters didn't appear again.
Returning to Walford is EastEnders heavyweight Ian Peel (Adam Woodyatt), who pays his respects to the late great dad from afar.
Colin Russell (Michael Cashman) and Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Josa) also said goodbye as they watched the horses carry his coffin past number 27, passing the Queen Vic and Albert Square.
For decades, June was one of the most famous faces on British television, playing famous Christians in Albert Square who chain-smoked, gossiped and cared for the needy while working in the laundry.
