EastEnders icon June Brown’s ‘forgotten’ Coronation Street role uncovered

Michael Adams wrote and posted this blog on August 20, 2024, at 10:40am, and made some updates at 10:41am on the same day.

For many viewers who love watching soap operas, June Brown is best known for her role as Dot Cotton, a devout smoker, in EastEnders. However, not everyone may realize that she actually made her first appearance in Coronation Street.

Viewers of the popular ITV soap opera were shocked to discover a video from her appearance on the show more than 50 years ago circulating on social media.

In August 1970, the actress first appeared as Mrs. Parsons, the mother of Tony, a young boy learning harmonium from Ena Sharples.

Tony had entered the Victoria Street Mission without permission, a religious site located near the current Underworld location. Ena quickly realized his unique skill.

Because she was a skilled organist, she made the decision to support his talents and assist in getting him a scholarship at a music school. However, there was a small problem - Mrs. Parsons needed some persuading first.

She stopped her son from playing because her ex-husband, who was unfaithful and estranged, used to play the saxophone in a dance band.

Ena persuaded her friend to support her son in pursuing his dreams, and the next year they both went to see Tony perform at his first public concert at the college.

In line with the story, a vintage piece of TV merchandise was introduced in the form of a vinyl record called "Ena Sharples presents the Lad from Coronation Street." It included songs performed by David Hill, a student at Chetham’s School of Music.

It wasn't until over fourteen years later that June finally made her debut on Albert Square as Dot.

Wow, I've never seen something like this before!

Posting the video on X, archivetvmusings stated: 'Coronation Street episode penned by H.V. Kershaw on 19th August 1970. Ena comes face to face with Tony's mother, Mrs Parsons (June Brown).'

"One person mentioned that there are two well-known soap stars in the scene," one fan commented, while another added, "It makes me curious to watch the entire episode."

Another user commented on June's extensive range of characters, which includes a role in Doctor Who, while another person exclaimed, 'Oh my goodness... I've never seen this before.'

In 2017, Coronation Street openly recognized the guest appearance of the EastEnders legend in a special tweet commemorating their 90th birthday.

Celebrate the 90th birthday of soap icon June Brown. Before appearing on Eastenders, she was on Coronation Street. Let's take a trip down memory lane to 1971. #Corrie.

Her ties to the Northern soap opera go beyond that - in 1995 she recalled on an episode of This Is Your Life about a previous encounter with its creator, the late Tony Warren, who was presented with his 'big red book' of memories.

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While attending performances on the theater scene in Manchester, a youthful Tony stood outside the stage door with his friends, eagerly waiting to meet the celebrities.

When he asked for her signature, she said: 'You don't want my signature, I'm not a famous person.' He said: 'No, but you could be famous someday.'

He was so correct!

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Additional: Popular rock star from the 1970s is forced to leave their band due to a sudden hospitalization.

ADDITIONAL: 'The BBC would not be able to air our 1970s series on television today'

Former music icon from the 1960s started a purportedly haunted recording studio just three weeks before passing away unexpectedly.

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