Ex EastEnders actress Molly Conlin, who played Dotty Cotton in the hit BBC1 soap between 2008 and 2010, has revealed she's 'very upset' after the character was recast.
Speaking to The Sun, the 21-year-old said bosses at EastEnders did approach her to tell her Dotty Cotton would be making a return to the Square, but, said they would be recasting the role.
Molly revealed, "They did approach me, unfortunately they wanted the new Dotty to go back and appear a lot older and be played by someone in their 20s.
"Of course I would have loved to have returned to EastEnders, but I believe everything happens for a reason".
Molly's comments have come after EastEnders revealed Dotty Cotton would be played by Milly Zero, when she makes a return 'with a bang'.
Speaking about her new role, Milly said, “I am honestly so excited to be playing Dotty Cotton and joining the E20 family, especially playing alongside June Brown, who I have been watching on my telly since I was a young girl.
“Her and Dotty have such an interesting relationship to explore with a complicated history, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. It all feels very surreal and I am buzzing already".
Swipe through to see who is returning to EastEnders this year
Who's returning to EastEnders this year?
1 of 1Sam Mitchell (played by Kim Medcalf)
In January 2022, BBC announced that Kim would be back playing Peggy Mitchell's daughter, and promised the return would be "explosive". On reprising the role she played from 2002–2005, Kim said, "She's a brilliant character and I can't wait to get back in The Square this spring."Here's hoping her return is a bit more interesting than that quote.
Executive Producer Jon Sen added, "We’re all super-excited to welcome Dotty back to the Square – sharp-witted and with an eye for human weakness, she’s not afraid to say what she thinks. We are also thrilled that Milly will be taking on the role – her versatility as an actress and ability to capture Dotty’s blend of sass, intelligence and vulnerability ensure that Dotty will return with a bang this autumn".
Dotty's last appearance on the show was in 2010, after she left to start a new life in America with her mum Sandy.
Dotty will now return with Dot, following her trip to the US to visit the pair.
EastEnders airs on Mondays and Fridays at 8pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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