Eastenders star to leave show for six months

Spoiler alert!

'EastEnders' veteran June Brown is to leave the show for six months.

The 85-year-old actress, who has played Dot Branning (nee Cotton) since 1985, is planning to write her autobiography and take a holiday.

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An insider on the show told The Mirror that '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'.

Her agent confirmed the sabbatical, saying: “June has taken some time away from 'EastEnders' to focus on her autobiography, but she will be returning to the programme.”

She has reportedly already filmed her exit scenes, which will be shown in the middle of May. [The Mirror]

Also in today's press

Nigel Havers is reportedly quitting 'Coronation Street' for a five-week stint in panto. He's said to be getting a six-figure salary in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' in Southampton in December, thought to be more than his salary on the soap. But other reports suggest that Corrie bosses are trying to work the plot around him so that he can return. [The Mirror/The Sun]

Simon Cowell is trying to line up Susan Boyle to appear on the 'Britain's Got Talent' final. She's not been on the show since she lost out to dance troupe Diversity in 2008. She's since sold more than 18 million albums worldwide. [The Sun]

Sam Buttery and Sophie Griffin have made their exits from 'The Voice' after the first public vote. Buttery failed to impress with a rendition of Erasure's 'A Little Respect', while 17-year-old Sophie described being on the show as 'the best experience of my whole entire life'. [The Mirror]