Barbara Windsor 'lit up' over EastEnders tribute
6 years ago
25 November 2019 - 11:00 AM

Barbara Windsor 'lit up' over EastEnders tribute

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

Dame Barbara Windsor\'s face "lit up" when she heard \'EastEnders\' are going to pay tribute to her legendary character.

The 82-year-old star - who played Peggy Mitchell from 1991 to 2016 - is set to have a baby named after her in the soap.

Her on-screen granddaughter Louise - played by Tilly Keeper - is pregnant with her boyfriend Keanu Taylor\'s (Danny Walters) baby, and the pair will name their bundle of joy Peggy.

Natalie Cassidy inspired by Peggy Mitchell for Mandy guest role

Barbara\'s husband Scott Mitchell told The Sun newspaper: "She thought what a lovely thing it is Peggy Mitchell will live on in a family member. What a lovely tribute.

"It made her quite emotional and I have been reminding her each time we watch the show every night. Each time her whole face lights up."

The Queen Vic legend said goodbye to Walford following her terminal cancer storyline, which saw Peggy take her own life.

Kellie Shirley would return to EastEnders for 'juicy storyline'

The \'Carry On\' star decided to leave the BBC soap following a near six decade career after being diagnosed with Alzheimer\'s disease in 2014.

Scott explained: "When she was doing her job, or out in public being Barbara Windsor, it didn\'t seem to affect her. But it was showing at home. By 2016, it was getting worse.

"The repetitiveness was becoming more common and there was slight confusion in conversation, but nothing major."

Gyles Brandreth calls for Easter pantomimes

And Scott revealed how he convinced the soap\'s boss that Barbara should return to \'EastEnders\' one last time to say goodbye to her character.

He added: "Barbara contacted the executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins to make the suggestion and, at first, he said, \'I can\'t kill an iconic character\'.

"So I went to see him and, without giving the full situation, confided that she was really struggling to learn lines and wouldn\'t ever be coming back again after this ... Ironically, I think it\'s some of the best work she ever did. I was incredibly proud of her."

Share on
Share on Facebook
Facebook
X
Share on E-mail
E-mail

You might like these
Natalie Cassidy inspired by Peggy Mitchell for Mandy guest role

Natalie Cassidy inspired by Peggy Mitchell for Mandy guest role

27 August 2020 - 4:20 PM

Natalie Cassidy inspired by Peggy Mitchell for Mandy guest role
Kellie Shirley would return to EastEnders for 'juicy storyline'

Kellie Shirley would return to EastEnders for 'juicy storyline'

20 August 2020 - 12:00 PM

Kellie Shirley would return to EastEnders for 'juicy storyline'
Gyles Brandreth calls for Easter pantomimes

Gyles Brandreth calls for Easter pantomimes

10 August 2020 - 2:00 PM

Gyles Brandreth calls for Easter pantomimes
Barbara Windsor's husband admits she 'isn't the woman he knew'

Barbara Windsor's husband admits she 'isn't the woman he knew'

12 June 2020 - 12:00 PM

Barbara Windsor's husband admits she 'isn't the woman he knew'
Ross Kemp 'taken aback' by Barbara Windsor visit

Ross Kemp 'taken aback' by Barbara Windsor visit

11 June 2020 - 12:00 PM

Ross Kemp 'taken aback' by Barbara Windsor visit

Scott Mills Faces Potential Stripping of Honorary Doctorate Following BBC Dismissal
4 April 2026

Scott Mills Faces Potential Stripping of Honorary Doctorate Following BBC Dismissal

Scott Mills Faces Potential Stripping of Honorary Doctorate Following BBC Dismissal
Russell Howard Left Red-Faced After Accidental Innuendo on Claudia Winkleman’s Show
4 April 2026

Russell Howard Left Red-Faced After Accidental Innuendo on Claudia Winkleman’s Show

Russell Howard Left Red-Faced After Accidental Innuendo on Claudia Winkleman’s Show
Katie McGlynn and Max Bowden Reunite on Stage Following Brief Romance
3 April 2026

Katie McGlynn and Max Bowden Reunite on Stage Following Brief Romance

Katie McGlynn and Max Bowden Reunite on Stage Following Brief Romance
Josie Gibson Explores Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Amid Strictly Rumors
3 April 2026

Josie Gibson Explores Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Amid Strictly Rumors

Josie Gibson Explores Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Amid Strictly Rumors
Louise Thompson Recovers Engagement Ring Two Years After Its Disappearance
3 April 2026

Louise Thompson Recovers Engagement Ring Two Years After Its Disappearance

Louise Thompson Recovers Engagement Ring Two Years After Its Disappearance
Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe Celebrate West End Debut in Romeo & Juliet
1 April 2026

Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe Celebrate West End Debut in Romeo & Juliet

Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe Celebrate West End Debut in Romeo & Juliet
Céline Dion Prepares Secret "Final Farewell" Residency in Paris Amid Health Battle
1 April 2026

Céline Dion Prepares Secret "Final Farewell" Residency in Paris Amid Health Battle

Céline Dion Prepares Secret "Final Farewell" Residency in Paris Amid Health Battle
Tommy Fury Schedules "Beauty vs. The Beast" Fight One Day After Molly-Mae’s Due Date
29 March 2026

Tommy Fury Schedules "Beauty vs. The Beast" Fight One Day After Molly-Mae’s Due Date

Tommy Fury Schedules "Beauty vs. The Beast" Fight One Day After Molly-Mae’s Due Date
Alison Hammond Credits Boxing and Strength Training for Transformation
29 March 2026

Alison Hammond Credits Boxing and Strength Training for Transformation

Alison Hammond Credits Boxing and Strength Training for Transformation
Himesh Patel Lands Leading Role in The X-Files Reboot
28 March 2026

Himesh Patel Lands Leading Role in The X-Files Reboot

Himesh Patel Lands Leading Role in The X-Files Reboot
Ronan Keating Celebrates Daughter Coco’s 6th Birthday with Heartfelt Family Tribute
28 March 2026

Ronan Keating Celebrates Daughter Coco’s 6th Birthday with Heartfelt Family Tribute

Ronan Keating Celebrates Daughter Coco’s 6th Birthday with Heartfelt Family Tribute
Romesh Ranganathan’s Mother Steals the Spotlight in New TV Update
27 March 2026

Romesh Ranganathan’s Mother Steals the Spotlight in New TV Update

Romesh Ranganathan’s Mother Steals the Spotlight in New TV Update
Statistic Statistic