Dame Barbara Windsor dies: Tributes pour in for EastEnders and Carry On star – ‘rest in peace Babs’

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.”

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.”

Danniella Westbrook, who played Dame Barbara’s on-screen daughter Sam Mitchell, tweeted: “My heart is broken.”

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.”

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.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Dame Barbara Windsor dies: Tributes pour in for EastEnders and Carry On star – ‘rest in peace Babs’