EastEnders: Dot Cotton AGREES To Attend Gay Wedding Of Throwback Character Colin Russell

It was all a bit of an emotional roller-coaster on last night’s EastEnders, what with Paul Coker’s funeral (RIP OUR CURLY-HAIRED SEX KING), and Mark Fowler Junior finding out that Grant Mitchell was his real father (and not seeming to care that he’d almost got off with his sister?!)

But one of the more shocking moments was when Dot came face to face with her old pal Colin – and had to wrestle with her conscience over whether to attend the wedding to his partner, Eddy.

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Colin Russell – played by former MEP Lord Cashman – made a return to Albert Square for the first time in 27 years this week, and invited former pal Dot to his upcoming nuptials.

Colin first appeared in Walford back in 1986, and made history by having the first gay kiss on a British soap. At the time, he and Dot overcame her initial bigotry and homophobia (yes, Dot wasn’t the sweet little angel we know her as now) and later became firm friends.

However, despite the strong friendship, Dot’s religious views were preventing her from attending her old pal’s wedding this week – leading Colin to pay her a visit.

Friday’s episode began with Dot trying to defend her beliefs, with her telling Colin: “I can’t, it ain’t right. I don’t care if it’s legal, a marriage should be between a man and a woman.

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"I wish you and your Eddy all the very best but I can’t be part of it.”

She also told Sonia – currently in a gay relationship with Tina Carter – that she wouldn’t go to her wedding either.

Colin then left Dot’s place feeling a bit defeated – heading to The Vic, where the wake was being held for Paul Coker, the victim of a homophobic murder. Spurring Colin on to make Dot see sense, he returned to her house, to try and convince her one last time.

“You were the first person who really accepted me. You got to know me and you saw beyond the gay stuff. We lived through it, Dot. Don’t you remember?’ Colin asked her.

"When you went doolally when you found out me and Barry were sharing a bed? I had to chase you round the square trying to give you an AIDS leaflet. And after all that, despite wrestling with your religion, you became my friend.”

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After saying that her attendance would have meant a lot to Paul Coker, Dot was convinced to go – and ended up having a complete 360 about the whole thing – telling Sonia:

“I suppose you think I’m silly making such a fuss about going to that wedding and then changing my mind at the last minute. Well, it’s a cause for celebration so cheers.

"They looked ever so happy, didn’t they? And Colin, oh he spoke his vows so beautifully. You know, I’m ever so sorry for saying I wouldn’t go to your wedding because I would because I love you.”

Awww, ain’t that nice? You can come to our wedding any time you like Dot (heck, you can give us away if you really want).