Inside Soap UK 50 - 2022

THURSDAY! Oops, sorry for shouting, but you need to know. The next issue of Inside Soap is on sale on THURSDAY 8 December. I’m sorry if that means another trip up Asda this week; it’s all due to our pre-Christmas publishing schedule and it’s enough to make your head spin. Personally, I’m going to make a day of it and treat myself to two tubs of Celebrations for £7 while I’m there. “Dot has one last judgement to make” But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. This week, over the next six pages, the divine Dot Branning is laid to rest after a long, worthy life. We’re pausing to mourn the irreplaceable June Brown, of course – with the whole horse-drawn, black-plumed, glass hearse extravaganza – but life in Albert Square…

It’s with a heavy heart that Walford says goodbye to Dot Branning this week, as the much-loved resident is laid to rest. The emotional episodes come following actress June Brown’s death earlier this year. June played Dot for 35 years, and EastEnders was determined to do her – and the character – proud. “It will be a real treat for people as it’s celebrating Dot and her life,” shares Natalie Cassidy, who plays Dot’s granddaughter, Sonia. “As much as it’s upsetting, and people will shed a tear, they’ll also smile as it’s a celebration of Dot. She was the most iconic character of the show, and she’s our Queen of Walford, and that’s what she deserves!” If only Sonia herself was so confident. She’s struggling with Dot’s death and feeling…

Dot’s funeral sees several of her old friends head back to Albert Square, including Mary ‘The Punk’ Smith and Lofty Holloway – as well as Dot’s unlikely pal in the show’s early years, Colin Russell. “All of these characters were changed in some way by Dot, certainly for the better, which is lovely,” says Lord Michael Cashman, who plays Colin. “I hope that viewers will remember those characters fondly and, with us, jump into that little time machine.” A good friend of June’s off screen, Michael had no hesitation about returning for the episodes. “I couldn’t imagine Colin not being at his amazing friend Dot’s funeral and I couldn’t imagine not being there for June,” says the actor, who previously returned to the soap in 2016 when Colin invited Dot…

One of the many Dot took under her wing over the years was homeless Disa O’Brien, who arrived on the Square after meeting runaway Diane Butcher back in 1990. Along with Kathy, Dot helped Disa sort out her life. We haven’t seen her for over 30 years, but Disa’s back to pay her respects to Dot and for an emotional reunion with Kathy. And actress Jan Graveson wouldn’t miss it for the world… Hi, Jan. Did you and June stay close after you left the show? Our friendship lasted until the very end. We had the same birthday, which she always talked about. In times of trouble, I’ve gone to June, stayed over at her house. I’ve done a lot of work for animal welfare, and June always came to…

While Dot’s funeral marks the end of her time in Walford, her legacy sees two new storylines kick off. Firstly, there’s romance for Sonia with the arrival of Dot’s great-nephew Reiss Colwell, and secondly there is the question of who’ll inherit Dot’s estate… Actor Jonny Freeman joins the EastEnders cast as Reiss, who will share an instant spark with Sonia as they bond over Dot. “Reiss is kind, but socially awkward; seeing how he manages – or doesn’t – manage his early exchanges with Sonia and her nearest and dearest has been interesting!” laughs Jonny. “I’m looking forward to seeing how both audiences and the residents of Walford respond to him.” Reiss is described as “humble, dependable and kind-hearted” by Walford bosses, and he quickly demonstrates this by offering to…

C has is forced to confess the truth this week – after Belle realises she and Al never ended their affair! Things go from bad to worse when Belle tells all to Moira, who quickly realises that Chas’ affair was the real reason behind Cain and Al’s deadly showdown. Meanwhile, Chas looks to the future with Paddy, as he arranges a surprise getaway for the two of them. But while news of Chas and Al’s fling spreads, is life about to come crumbling down around her? “Everything with Al is done for Chas, it’s over,” states Lucy Pargeter, who plays her. “She’s moved on and put it to bed, and now she’s back to her real life – not the fantasy she was living. She’s eager to make what she…