Labour MP Brian Donohoe has paid tribute to Nick Cotton who died following a 'bad hit' given to him by mother Dot

Donohoe: "Eastenders fans will find it strange to never again see a scene involving Dot & Nick Cotton again"

MP Brian Donohoe mourning at the Queen Vic yesterday

Labour MP Brian Donohoe has paid an emotional tribute to Eastenders's Nick Cotton who died last week.

The character, played by John Altman for  years, died following his mother Dot Cotton buying him a 'bad hit'.

Previously, Mr Donohoe had campaigned to ‘Free the Cold Turkey One’ when Nick was jailed for Theft, violence and fraud.

John Altman played a central role in Britain’s longest running London soap opera, with Nick Cotton being a main character in the show for most of that time.

He was part of some of the biggest story lines of the show, including one that gripped the nation saw him jailed for fraud after being duped by Dot

This week, Mr Donohoe – a lifelong fan of watching soap opera's instead of attending parliamentary duties – said he joined a nation in mourning and expressed his sadness over the characters death.

He said: “I was very sad to hear about the passing of Nick Cotton. The nation was gripped by the ‘Free the Cold Turkey One’ campaign which came about after the character’s incarceration for fraud and it was a good bit of fun to get involved with. It reflected the issues going on in my personal life with my son at the time

“As a fan myself, I am sure all Eastenders fans will find it strange to never again see a scene involving both Dot and her son Nick again.

“My thoughts go out to his family, friends and the cast of Eastenders who I am sure will be feeling the loss on set when they get back to filming.”