Stars and their eyes… June Brown

EastEnders legend June Brown is losing her eyesight due to age-related macular degeneration.

Brown, 92, was diagnosed ten years ago and had surgical treatment in 2017, which initially slowed the vision loss. Talking to the press recently, the actress who plays Dot Cotton said she hasn’t been able to drive for a long time and now avoids social engagements due to her poor vision. "I don’t recognise people I know," she said speaking to The Mirror newspaper. “I’ve got very poor sight. I’ve got extra lenses inside my eyes to try to help me read better. They help with my peripheral vision, but I’ve got no central vision.”

Having been on the BBC One show since 1985, Brown revealed last year that her time on EastEnders was coming to an end, but added she wasn’t ready to quit just yet. She said she could still just about learn her lines, “They use big fonts. They are very kind, and people do make wonderful allowances for me. I hope I’m worth it. Well, I suppose if I weren’t they wouldn’t bother, would they?”

Brown was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity after a long and celebrated career in television, film and theatre. Her many accolades include a lifetime achievement award and best actress gong at the British Soap Awards in 2005 for her role as EastEnders’ chain-smoking gossip queen.