Dame Barbara Windsor dies: Tributes pour in for 'national treasure' and star of EastEnders and Carry On movies
EastEnders actress Michelle Collins says: "You only had to say 'Babs' or 'Barb' and everybody knew who you were talking about."
Friday 11 December 2020 20:28, UK
Dame Barbara Windsor's EastEnders co-stars have led tributes to the former Carry On star following her death at the age of 83.
The film and TV actress, who was suffering from dementia, died in a London care home with her husband Scott Mitchell by her side.
Steve McFadden, who plays Dame Barbara's on-screen son Phil Mitchell, said he "truly loved Barbara and, like everyone, I am going to miss her terribly".
He added: "When anyone ever asked what she was like, I would always say she was everything you would hope she would be, and more."
Letitia Dean, who plays Sharon Mitchell, said it was "utterly heartbreaking news I woke up to this morning".
The actress said: "They broke the mould when they made Dame Barbara Windsor. There will never be another like that incredible woman."
The Duke of Cambridge also paid tribute as, fittingly, he took his family to see a panto in London.
The prince described the soap queen as "a true national treasure… a giant of the entertainment world, and of course a legend on pantomime stages across the country.
"And I know we'll all miss her hugely."
His words were echoed by Michelle Collins, who played Cindy Beale in the long-running soap.
She said: "She really was a national treasure, wasn't she? You only had to say 'Babs' or 'Barb' and everybody knew who you were talking about."
Daniella Westbrook, who starred as Windsor's on-screen daughter, Sam Mitchell, recalled the first time she met her at a charity event.
The star, Ms Westbroook said, "just had this aura of a woman - buzzing around tables - and everybody wanting to be around her.
"I remember being about 18 and going 'Oh my god, there's Barbara Windsor!' and being so excited to see her.
"She was a blessing to be around and she walked into the Queen Vic and she just lit up the place".
Shane Richie, who played Alfie Moon in Walford, said he was "absolutely devastated", adding that they "shared many a story in between filming".
Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, said he had "so many happy memories and moments that I will always cherish, even when Peggy floored Ian with a punch".
Patsy Palmer, who played Bianca Jackson, said: "I can hear that laugh now as I sit and think about her. I hope it'll ring in my ears forever. She always looked out for me."
Danny Dyer, another Queen Vic landlord, wrote on Instagram: "Rest in Peace Babs. There is only one Dame in my eyes. So grateful to have known ya. You was a beautiful rare one."
Lucy Benjamin, who played Lisa Fowler in the soap set in east London, told Sky News that Windsor "knew how to make people happy".
She said: "People found her very approachable. I remember being with her at events and opening nights and everyone wanted to meet her, everyone wanted to give her a cuddle, shake her hand, get an autograph, and she was always so there for people, and wanted to do it, and wanted to make people happy.
"She was just such a pro, and she knew how to make people happy and that's why she is an icon. She had that likeability. People did feel that they knew her."
Her long-time friend, actor Christopher Biggins, said she had immense sex appeal but a difficult love life.
He said: "She did have a run of bad luck with men. It was only when she met Scott that she found true happiness.
"Up to then she was taken for a million pounds here, a million pounds there and when she did EastEnders, she had nothing and EastEnders was a lifeline for her which she used and she made it work."
Boris Johnson, who met Dame Barbara last year as she campaigned for better dementia care, tweeted that she was "so much more than a great pub landlady and Carry On star".
The prime minister added: "She campaigned for the lonely and the vulnerable - and cheered the world up with her own British brand of harmless sauciness and innocent scandal. Thoughts with Scott and all her family and friends."
Former prime minister David Cameron said Dame Barbara "really was a national treasure who worked tirelessly to campaign for charity, including Alzheimer's Research UK. Always a joy to meet, guaranteed to brighten the day and warm the heart, she will be hugely missed."
Actress Dame Joan Collins said show business had "lost a legend".
The writer Gyles Brandreth said Dame Barbara "put the bubbles in the champagne of life".
Actress Sheridan Smith wrote: "She was one of my idols... and she could not have been nicer."
TV presenter Jonathan Ross tweeted: "So warm, so funny, so kind. Goodnight sweetheart."
A tweet from the official EastEnders account read: "We are all deeply saddened that we've lost our Dame. Barbara created an icon in Peggy Mitchell, our formidable Landlady.
"To all of us at EastEnders, she was our dearest friend, truly loved and adored by everyone. Our thoughts go out to Scott and Barbara's family."