Six-month break from EastEnders for June Brown

EastEnders star June Brown is taking a break from the soap.

Brown joins Charlie Brooks, Lindsey Coulson and Patsy Palmer in taking a break from the soap.

The Mirror reports that the actress has been given some time off from her role of Dot Branning so that she can write her memoirs.

‘Some friends on the set feared she may be considering a permanent exit but EastEnders bosses are determined to keep her and they have offered her six months off which she has taken. She has admitted the filming can be exhausting and she feels some time off is long overdue.’ – A ‘source’ speaking to The Mirror

The actress has already filmed her last scenes – transmitting next month they will see Dot leave Albert Square to visit her granddaughter Dotty.

The beeb announced earlier this year that Bryan Kirkwood was stepping down as EastEnders’ Executive Producer amid reports of declining ratings and “crisis talks” at the BBC over the soap’s future.