Fans of EastEnders will know that members of the BBC soap’s cast have been leaving en masse of late, and as a result, it would seem that the show’s bosses are keen to bring back some former characters to claw back viewers who’ve defected amid claims EastEnders has become “unrecognizable.”

And to that end, it’s been reported today that former cast member Barbara Windsor has been approached by the show’s executives to return to her role as matriarch Peggy Mitchell.

75 year old Barbara left the soap in 2010 after her husband complained to her that she was bringing her work home with her and that he didn’t get to see enough of her, given the grueling filming schedule she undertook. Read more & comment »

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mirror, former EastEnders star Barbara Windsor has revealed why she left the BBC1 soap, and she’s spoken publicly about her friendship with tragic singer Amy Winehouse for the first time.

Of her somewhat unlikely relationship with Amy – given the age difference between them – Barbara explained, “I kept our friendship private even though she was often in the news.

“We kept it a secret. We always said our friendship would be very private because we knew what it would be like…‘Friends with Barbara Windsor, what’s that all about?’”

75 year old Barbara then revealed that she first got to know Amy because her husband – Barbara’s – Scott knew the Winehouse family.

Barbara said, “My husband’s family is very friendly with Amy’s family. The two have known each other for a long time… Read more & comment »

Former EastEnders star Barbara Windsor reckons that the show’s younger cast members are an undisciplined lot who are only interested in their mobile phones…

And during a chat with Rob Brydon for his talk show, it became evident that were she still on the show, she wouldn’t tolerate it!

While discussing her return to the show back in 2005 to reprise the role of battleaxe Peggy Mitchell – she of course then subsequently left for good in September of 2010 – Barbara said, “Everybody was late or everybody was talking on their mobiles.

“I don’t like that but the governors are not so strict now. It’s a generational thing. It was difficult… Read more & comment »

The PA reports today that former EastEnders star Barbara Windsor – who of course played the role of Peggy Mitchell – hosted “the perfect British tea party” ahead of the Diamond Jubilee weekend in June.

Barbara, who is the official street party ambassador – as appointed by London Mayor Boris Johnson two years ago after he starred in an episode of EastEnders – organized tea and sandwiches and cakes for a tea party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace which was attended by around 60 Scouts.

She said, “All we ask is for people to have lunch with their neighbours on June 3rd, that’s not too much to ask is it?

“The street parties were a big success when we did them at the royal wedding and they weren’t just in London, they really captured the spirit of the whole nation… Read more & comment »

Former EastEnders star Barbara Windsor is to star in a Sky1 festive special entitled ‘Little Crackers’ in which she will describe how she used to hate her boobs!

Barbara, who is of course also famous for her numerous appearances in the Carry On films, will be seen describing how her first bra fitting as a teenager changed her life.

Barbara told The Sun’s TV Biz, “People will be shocked to learn that I wasn’t always the confident, feisty blonde that I am today…

“And how two of my greatest assets were the bane of my life.

“After more than 74 years on this planet, how do you choose one moment that changed your life? There have been so many.”

But Barbara added: “Little Crackers has given me a chance to reveal one of those moments.” Read more & comment »

It was revealed earlier today that Pam St Clement would be leaving Eastenders and already, tributes from her colleagues have started pouring in.

The former prostitute will leave the BBC soap later this year and bosses have promised fans that her exit will be a “fitting finale not to be missed”. They also assured viewers that Pat Evans will not be killed off and may reappear on the odd occasion down the line.

Barbara Windsor – who played Pat’s on screen best friend and often worst enemy Peggy Mitchell – was the first to praise the actress, releasing a statement saying:

Read more & comment »

Barbara Windsor and ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ star Nanny Pat will have a Comic Relief showdown.

The former ‘EastEnders’ actress and the 75-year-old reality star are to take part in a hysterical stand off, which will culminate in telly veteran Barbara shoving a cream cake in Nanny Pat’s face.

As part of a skit that will go out next month in an advert for Jackpot Joy Bingo and Comic Relief, 73-year-old Barbara – who will be dressed as the Queen of Bingo – will be seen moving into a lavish new pad in Pat’s home county of Essex.

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Cheryl Fergison has revealed that she wants her old pal Barbara Windsor to be a bridesmaid at her upcoming wedding.

The plus size star recently became engaged to her Moroccan toyboy, Yassin Al-Jermoni, 25, and plans to hold the ceremony later in 2011.

Speaking to The Sun about the event, she revealed:

“I’d love Barbara Windsor to be one of my bridesmaids.

Read more & comment »

Barbara Windsor has hit out at the recent EastEnders’ cot death storyline, branding it “a disgrace”.

The 73-year-old actress – who played feisty landlady Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap until last autumn – thinks the show should stick to humorous topics rather than shocking plot twists, such as the harrowing New Year’s Eve (31.12.10) scenes which saw Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) swapping her dead child with the baby of Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace).

According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Barbara told a fan: “EastEnders doesn’t need to shock to get figures, it should stick to what it’s good at – comedy and pathos.

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Barbara Windsor’s long, varied and extremely successful career is honoured in a gala evening jam-packed with the country’s best comic talent as well as some of Barbara’s close celebrity friends.

A line up that includes Alan Carr, Sean Lock, Rich Hall, Patrick Kielty, Bernard Cribbins, Cheryl Fergison and Christopher Biggins all get a chance to have a tongue-in-cheek pop at a national treasure and those that can’t be there on the night also get to chip in on film, including Michael Sheen, the cast of EastEnders and Leslie Phillips.

Wednesday 5 January 2011
10:35pm, Channel 4

Barbara Windsor’s best-ever Christmas present was her engagement ring.

The former ‘EastEnders’ actress – who has been married to Scott Mitchell for 10 years – revealed she was particularly thrilled when her partner proposed to her, as her gifts are not usually a surprise.

She eplained: “My best present was my engagement ring, which was lovely. Usually though, we go to Selfridges and shop together.

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Barbara Windsor left ‘EastEnders’ because her character was “taking over” her life.

The veteran actress – who played matriarch Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap for 16 years until earlier this year – revealed she needed to leave the show after her husband, Scott Mitchell, pointed out she wasn’t “switching off” from her on-screen persona.

She explained: “He said it was ‘Peggy this’ and ‘Peggy that’. She was taking over my life. Then we started filming on Saturdays and my weekends would be gone. I’d have breakfast on Sunday and then get my head down to learn scripts.

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Barbara Windsor has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

The legendary actress – who said goodbye to her ‘EastEnders’ alter-ago Peggy Mitchell in September after nearly 16 years on the soap – was rewarded for her Outstanding Contribution to Showbusiness at The Co-Operative Variety Club Awards yesterday.

However, despite being thrilled to be recognised for her acting achievements, the 73-year-old star thought the accolade should have gone to her former ‘EastEnders’ co-star June Brown.

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This week on Paul O’Grady Live – an exclusive performance from Nadine Coyle’s debut solo single, plus Barbara Windsor and Caroline Rhea.

Paul will share his unique views on the week; meet some of the world’s biggest stars as well as home-grown talent including his favourite soap stars.

Read more & comment »

Barbara Windsor has revealed that she will never return to Eastenders.

The 73 year old actress, best known as Walford’s Peggy Mitchell, was seen leaving the BBC soap earlier this month. Bosses agreed not to kill off the matriarch but Windsor has admitted that she won’t be returning to the show.

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