Charlie appears one last time in the October 2000 spin-off, Return of Nick Cotton, as an apparition, warning his son Nick ( John Altman) to change his ways. Charlie deserted Dot Cotton ( June Brown) in the late 1950s after two years of marriage when she was expecting their son, Nick ( John Altman ). Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular TMZ CHARLIE COTTON Maddow is the most-watched show that isnt on Fox News Channel, averaging 1.43 million viewers. save.