Babs Windsor Calls Time At The Queen Vic, Sad!

Barbara Windsor has decided to leave EastEnders after more than 15 years in the soap. The legendary British actress, who plays landlady Peggy Mitchell, will say farewell to the Queen Vic and Albert Square next year.

Windsor, 72, said she will be sad to leave but wants to spend more time with her husband.

“EastEnders has been wonderful to me,” she said in a statement, “and it’s no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago.

* Barbara Windsor as landlady Peggy Mitchell (Picture: BBC).

“I’ll be so sad to leave Peggy behind, she’s such a wonderful character to play.

“I have had the pleasure of working with a marvellous cast and crew and have made many lasting good friends.” As Peggy, the actress has had to put up with the antics of her two sons, Grant and Phil Mitchell, as well as a host of other family members.

She has been married unsuccessfully twice since joining the show in 1994 and shouted “Get outta my pub” at many famous characters that have walked into the Queen Vic. Just last month, the real-life London Mayor, Boris Johnson, popped into the Vic for a pint.

* Barbara with husband Scott Mitchell.

The actress, who is also known for her roles in the Carry On films, is considered a national treasure. She was awarded an MBE in 1999 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards in May this year. Windsor singled out showing the Queen around the set of EastEnders as “something that will stay with me forever”.

She added: “I would like to thank the BBC for the incredible opportunity they gave me and above all, I must thank the wonderful viewers for their support over the years.” The executive producer of EastEnders, Diederick Santer, described Windsor’s character as “truly iconic”.

“Barbara has contributed so much to EastEnders over the last 15 years, plus countless episodes, and countless amazing storylines,” he said “She has made the Mitchells the premier family of British soap. “All of us at EastEnders - and our audience - are going to miss her hugely.”