It was an unusual episode of Eastenders tonight as we saw the first monologue in the soap. In recent weeks, we have seen Dot come to terms with her husband being ill and away from home and various family members leaving. She has become lonely and vulnerable.

To cheer Jim up, various Albert Square members had recorded messages for Jim on an old tape recorder and tonight was Dot’s turn. At first, she really did not know what to say but finally admitted that she loved him. Dot’s happiest moments were spent as an evacuee in the war, where she was sent to the country. As her “foster parents” could not have children of their own, she was truly loved. However, at the end of the war, she returned home to be ignored by her mother who had gone on to have two children.

Towards the end of what was an emotional episode, Dot spoke about the fact that she had been asked to look after Jim at home (as the hospital needed the bed). She explained that she was not able to do this. An excellent and moving performance from June Brown as Dot.