Phil Daniels says June Brown is "a law unto herself".
The former ‘EastEnders’ actor – who appeared alongside the Albert Square veteran during his two-year spell as Kevin Wicks – has heaped praise on the 93-year-old star and insisted she is the wildest person he’s ever worked with.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "June Brown is the greatest rebel of all time.
"Smoking was banned everywhere and she would not have that. She’d smoke where she liked.
"June’s a law unto herself. She says it as it is. That’s rare. It makes everyone laugh. And good on her."
Phil, 61, left the soap back in 2007 when his alter ego Kevin died in a New Year’s Eve car crash.
Earlier this year, June revealed she had left the role of Dot Cotton "for good" after 35 years on the show, and she snubbed the opportunity for a retainer contract which would have allowed her to return in the future.
She explained: "I don’t want a retainer for ‘EastEnders’, I’ve left. I’ve left for good.
"I’ve sent her off to Ireland where she’ll stay. I’ve left ‘EastEnders’. I did make up a limerick. It’s a bit dirty.
"I went back to do a good story. Alas and alack, when I got back it had gone up in smoke.
"I got a small part, a very small part. And that ended up as a big wet fart. Alas and alack, I will never go back."
Although such longevity isn’t often seen on screen, 18-year-old actress Maisie Smith has admitted she would love to emulate June with her own ‘EastEnders’ career.
The Tiffany Butcher star said: "If I started and ended my career like Dot, that’s pretty iconic. It’s definitely the goal.
"But I’m only young, you know – ‘EastEnders’ might not even want me next year. Who knows? But if ever I did leave I’d want to come back because it’s a lovely show to be on."