Dame Barbara Windsor dies: Eastenders and Carry On actress has died at the age of 83

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Dame Barbara Windsor, best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On movies, has died at the age of 83, her husband told the PA news agency.

As one of Britain’s most beloved entertainment stars, she first found fame in her role as a buxom blonde in the films Carry On and then became a household name as Peggy Mitchell, the Queen’s hatchet landlady. Vic on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and made the news public in 2018.

She died at 8.35pm Thursday at a London nursing home, her husband Scott Mitchell told PA.

He said the beloved actress’s final weeks were “typical of how she lived her life” and “full of humor, drama and fighting spirit to the end.”

Mr. Mitchell said: “Her passing was from Alzheimer’s / dementia and Barbara eventually died peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.

“I, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, a smile and affection for the many years of love, fun, friendship and brilliance she brought to all of our lives and the entertainment she provided to so many thousands of people during her career.

“Barbara’s last weeks were typical of how she lived her life. Full of humor, drama and fighting spirit to the end.

“It was not the end that Barbara or anyone else living with this cruel disease deserve. I will always be immensely proud of Barbara’s courage, dignity and generosity in dealing with her own illness and continuing to try to help others by raising awareness for as long as I can. “

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Dame Barbara Windsor was perhaps best known for playing hatchet Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders (Jonathan Brady / PA)

Mitchell, who along with his wife campaigned for increased dementia care from the government, added: “Dementia / Alzheimer’s remains the leading cause of death in the UK. Although in difficult times, I urge the Prime Minister, his government and other parties to stay true to their previous promises and invest more in dementia / Alzheimer’s research and care.

“Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers who are angels in the nursing home for their kindness and care towards Barbara and me during their stay with you. You are my heroes.

“And my gratitude to our family, friends, and all the media and the general public for all the good wishes and warm support that has been shown to Barbara over the past years during her illness. Barbara appreciated it deeply. “

At the end of his moving tribute, Mr. Mitchell said: “Rest in peace now, my precious bar. I lost my wife, my best friend and soul mate and my heart or my life will never feel the same without you.

“I will not make any more statements and now I need time to mourn this painful personal loss.”

Dame Barbara made her debut as Peggy in 1994 and soon became one of the most beloved characters on the small screen as she yelled at rebellious drinkers to “get out of my pub!”

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Dame Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell deliver an open letter from the Alzheimer’s Society at 10 Downing Street in September 2019 (PA)

It became the defining role of her career and saw her star opposite Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden as her fictional sons Grant and Phil, with the late Mike Reid as her on-screen husband Frank Butcher.

The character left our screens in 2003 when Dame Barbara took a year off for medical reasons after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus, but returned as a series regular in 2005.

In 2009, Dame Barbara announced that she would be leaving the soap opera again to spend more time with her husband Scott, whom she married in 2000.

She returned for guest appearances on the soap opera over the next several years, but in 2016 she played Peggy for the last time.

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Dame Barbara Windsor, one of the country’s most beloved actresses known for her roles in the films Carry On and the BBC soap opera EastEnders, has died aged 83 (BBC / PA)

Her final scenes aired in May of that year when Walford’s stalwart took her own life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Before becoming synonymous with Albert Square, Dame Barbara delighted Carry On fans with her renditions of a “good old girl,” appearing in nine films in a series known for its raunchy humor.

He first appeared in Carry On Spying in 1964, with his last film role in 1974’s Carry On Dick.

One of Dame Barbara’s most famous scenes was in 1969’s Carry On Camping, when her bikini top flew off in the middle of an exercise class.

The actress was named a lady on the 2016 New Years honors list for her services to charity and entertainment.

Both Dame Barbara and her husband campaigned for Alzheimer’s awareness after her diagnosis.

In August this year, Mitchell said that his wife had been transferred to a nursing home in London.

Television host Jonathan Ross has addressed tributes to the star, remembering her as “warm, funny and kind.”

Ross joined a host of stars from the entertainment world to remember the diminutive star.

He tweeted: “Barbara Windsor in real life was everything you could have hoped for. So warm, so fun, so kind. Good evening darling x #BarbaraWindsor ”.

Actress Danniella Westbrook, who played Dame Barbara’s on-screen daughter Sam Mitchell on EastEnders, tweeted: “MY HEART IS BROKEN. Bar that you will always be in my heart forever. Bye, I LOVE YOU XXX RIP Barbara WINDSOR “.

A representative for actor Steve McFadden, who plays Dame Barbara’s on-screen son Phil Mitchell, told PA he was “devastated” by her death.

The Mitchells have been crucial to the success and longevity of EastEnders and viewers have for years been captivated by the drama surrounding the family.

Doctor Who star John Barrowman, who was interviewed by Dame Barbara on BBC Radio 2 in October 2011, said in a video on Twitter that the star will be “deeply missed.”

“In the 30-something years of my career I’ve had many, many occasions where I’ve been in the company of Barbara, or, as everyone calls her, ‘Babs,’ and we will miss her very much,” said the Brit. -Said the American actor.

“She was a small but feisty woman and had the biggest and biggest heart in the business. And she was a genuine, charming, warm and caring person, and the world of film, television, radio and theater will miss her deeply.

“We all knew he was in poor health, but it is still a shock when he arrives.

“Rest in peace, Dame Barbara Windsor. We will miss you very much. “

Comedian David Baddiel paid tribute on Twitter, saying, “RIP, the lovely and very funny Barbara Windsor. What a genuine national treasure she was. “

He added, referring to his partner, actor and writer Morwenna Banks: “Morwenna, who literally never says anything on social media, has asked me to add how sad she is too.”

Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn also recalled Dame Barbara on social media and in a tweet said that she was a “lovely lady who was always so funny. RIP Babs “.

Former Labor MP and broadcaster George Galloway tweeted: “The passing of Dame Barbara Windsor almost ends a sad year. She was a national treasure that is still something to be. Rest in peace. #BarbaraWindsor ”.

Dame Floella Benjamin and singer Aled Jones remembered the star as a “national treasure” in tweets.

Irish singer duo Jedward tweeted a Dame Barbara montage on EastEnders telling people to “get out of my pub” and former X Factor stars said, “RIP, iconic legend Barbara Windsor,” adding a red heart.
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PA media



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