Former EastEnders star June Brown has reportedly been advised by doctors to continue smoking.
The 93-year-old actress shocked producers earlier this year by revealing that she had decided to quit her role as Dot Cotton and would not be returning.
According to her on-screen son John Altman - aka Nasty Nick - Brown has attempted to curb her 70-year habit of smoking 20 a day but given her age, she has been told it is safer to continue smoking rather than go cold turkey.
Speaking to The Sun, Altman said: "She is still smoking, unfortunately, but the doctors have told her not to stop now.
"She loves her ciggies. She smokes at least ten a day."
On screen Dot was last seen in January, leaving Walford to visit family in Ireland.
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