JUNE Brown famously struck up a surprise friendship with Lady Gaga when they hit it off during an episode of The Graham Norton Show.

The soap icon died last night aged 95 at her home, prompting an outpouring of love from friends, fans and co-stars.

June Brown and Lady Gaga were surprise pals

The pair met on The graham Norton Show in 2019Credit: BBC
Three years ago, the unlikely duo stole the show as they chatted like long lost pals over glasses of red wine.

Flamboyant Gaga helped straighten soap icon June’s dress as she made her entrance and declared “I’m exhausted already”.

Host Graham then asked if the singer was familiar with EastEnders and show legend June.

The national treasure chipped in: “No, don’t say yes, darling. If you’re not, you’re not, and I don’t blame you.”

But respectful Gaga said: “I am. And I’m a very big fan of yours, I just don’t watch a lot of television.”

June joked: “I don’t watch any.”

After the show the pair posed for a selfie, with June hugging Gaga as she held up a copy of the actress’s book.

The US star has form when it comes to getting on famously with elder celebrities.

She has worked with crooner Tony Bennett, 95, many times over the years and she was praised at last weekend’s Oscars for helping Liza Minnelli, 76, when she got flustered on stage presenting an award.

June previously told the Star of her introduction to Gaga: “She [Lady Gaga] was so funny, intelligent and down to earth, but when she went in front of the press, you could see her put the Gaga persona on.”

And they nearly had more fun at a posh private member’s club in the capital, but June had to decline the invite.

“She invited me to Annabel’s,” said June. “Unfortunately I was doing Piers Morgan [Life Stories] the next day.”

June was EastEnders royalty