EASTENDERS fans were left in floods of tears during tonight’s tribute episode to Dot Cotton after her ‘surprise return’.
The BBC soap paid an emotional tribute to the legendary character – who passed away off screen a few weeks ago – following June Brown‘s death in April aged 95.
Sonia flashed a smile amidst her pain as she heard Dot’s voice on the recording
Dot’s voice could be heard as she was lowered to the ground
The Walford residents made their way to the funeral
During the heartbreaking episode, Dot’s voice was heard on two separate occasions, leaving fans in tears at hearing the character once again.
The episode began with the camera slowly approaching Dot’s door on Albert Square, before heading inside and revealing Sonia at the kitchen table, surrounded by photos of Dot.
She then played a tape recording of Dot which she had made for husband Jim after his stroke, and viewers were immediately struck by June’s distinctive voice as Dot ringing out around the set once again.
Dot could be heard saying: “Hello Jim, it’s me, Dorothy, I’m sitting here in the kitchen and I’m talking to you,” prompting an upset Sonia to flash a hint of a smile at hearing the iconic character’s voice once again.
A shot of Dot’s coffin placed in front of a loved-up picture of her and Jim could be seen as Dot continued to speak to her husband on the tape recording.
It was not the only time Dot’s voice was heard as the episode came full circle with her voice also closing out the special tribute programme as the characters paid their final respects.
As shots of Dot’s coffin was being lowered into the ground, she could be heard saying: “I read this thing in a paper, it said that the whole of the time since the world began, was a toilet roll and anyone who rolled it and laid it out, your life would be less than the width of a hair, right at the very end.
“Shows you where we are in the scheme of things, less than the width of a hair.”
Dot was later heard saying: “Enjoy the time you’ve got, it’s over in the blink of an eye.”
As Dot’s coffin was placed into the ground, Jack cheekily chucked a packet of cigarettes on the top, making the others smile.
Fans took to Twitter to share their emotion at hearing Dot’s voice once again, with one writing: “Dots voice on the tape 
#EastEnders.”
Another added: “Oh it’s so lovely hearing June Brown’s voice on EastEnders.”
A third shared: “It really hits when you hear Dot’s voice, remembering when she made that tape. How much she loved Jim was adorable, they were adorable together. #EastEnders.”
Whilst a fourth penned: “Hearing Dots voice gave me chills
Cant believe we arent gonna hear it anymore #RememberDot #EastEnders.”
The episode also featured a number of former characters returning to pay their respects to Dot, including Lauren Branning, Lofty Holloway, Mary Smith, Colin Russell and Disa O’Brien.
In the episode during her eulogy Sonia referred to the tape she had listened to earlier in the day and admitted it made her sad when Dot said she feared no one would miss her when she was gone.
It prompted Sharon to stand up and pay tribute, followed by Martin and then other members of the congregation in a touching scene.
