recorder as a message to her ailing husband Jim. Dot was used to explore topical and controversial issues such as euthanasia, cancer, immigration, and homophobia. Dot was generally well received by critics: she has been referred to as a cultural archetype and Brown won multiple awards for her portrayal. However, aspects of the character, such as her smoking and her religious beliefs, have been criticised, with religious groups suggesting Dot's faith is used in a pejorative manner. The character has also made an impact on popular culture; she has been spoofed, most notably by Alistair McGowan, and has been credited as inspiration for catwalk collections. Storylines Backstory Dot's backstory states that she was born in Walford, the main setting for EastEnders, and was evacuated to Wales as a child during the Second World War. Her guardians, Gwen (Eve Myles; Gwenllian Davies) and Will (Dafydd Emyr), wished to adopt her, but Dot returned to Walford after Will's death and spent the rest of her childhood helping her neglectful mother care for her younger half-siblings: Gerry, Tim and Rose (Polly Perkins). Aged 18, Dot married Charlie Cotton (Christopher Hancock). The following year, he forced her to have an abortion, threatening to leave her if she did not; in desperation, Dot approached Dr. Harold Legg (Leonard Fenton), who reluctantly performed the procedure by inducing birth. Dot bore a stillborn daughter, and as she recovered, Dr Legg found Charlie in a pub and hit him for his callousness. Charlie soon left after Dot fell pregnant again, and as Dot was giving birth to their son Nick (John Altman) Charlie was having an affair with her sister, Rose, in Liverpool. She raised Nick alone, with Charlie making unannounced returns and departures sporadically, and although Dot doted on Nick, she was not an affectionate mother. 1985–1993 Dot is introduced to EastEnders soon after its launch as the gossiping, chain smoking, Christian friend of Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin) and Lou Beale (Anna Wing) who works with Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) at the Walford launderette. She has a difficult life with a criminal husband, Charlie, and their son Nick, who appeared in the first episode. Charlie comes and goes, always treating Dot badly and stealing from her, until he dies in a lorry accident. Nick is also a criminal; he is involved in drugs, robberies and murder, and tries to cheat Dot out of her money. He attempts