Zoe Newton (also Cotton), played by Elizabeth Chadwick in 1993 and then by Tara Ellis in 2000 and 2001, arrives in Walford as the girlfriend of Nick Cotton (John Altman), along with their son Ashley (Rossi Higgins). She was in an on and off relationship with Nick since 1982 but had not appeared previously in Walford and had never met Nick's mother Dot (June Brown) until she arrives in 1993. She is keen that Dot gets a chance to meet her grandson, and Dot and Ashley eventually grow close after a few meetings. She and Nick are planning to move away to Gravesend and Zoe wants Dot to come and live with them. Dot is reluctant at first but later agrees to move away and leaves Walford with them in August 1993.