EASTENDERS viewers have caught their first glimpse of the new Dotty Cotton as she returns to Walford with a new look.
The character – who is soap stalwart Dot Cotton’s granddaughter – is now being played by actress Milly Zero as original star Molly Conlin was re-cast.
Teaser images for the BBC soap’s October episodes see Dotty with a edgy nose-ring piercing and sleek brunette hairstyle arrive alongside her nan, played by June Brown.
Wearing a star-print denim jacket and printed T-Shirt, she appears elated to be reunited with her family, sporting a beaming smile.
She first encounters Stuart Highway (Ricky Champ), Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield) and Tiffany Butcher (Maisie Smith) as she makes her comeback.
Stuart appears cheerful at the new arrival while Bex heads over to Dot for a hug.
Later teaser images show Dot, dressed in a pink dressing gown and enjoying a cup of tea, chatting animatedly about her granddaughter’s return.
As yet, it is unclear what Dotty’s full comeback storyline will entail, yet it is bound to be dramatic with boss Jon Sen vowing she will return “with a bang.”
In 2009, soap fans witnessed Dotty leave Walford alongside her mum, Sandy, after discovering her parent was still alive.
The pair were set to make a new life for themselves in America yet, after Dot’s trip to the US to see them, it seems she had a change of heart.
In July, the Sun Online reported on Dotty’s return and her jaw-droppingly different image.
New actress 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.
“I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them. It all feels very surreal and I am buzzing already.”
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Milly’s appointment to the role was not without controversy, though, as original Dotty actress Molly Conlin told how she was “very upset” to be re-cast.
She exclusively told The Sun Online: “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.”
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