Eastenders star Dame Barbara Windsor dies
Dame Barbara Windsor, the British star best known for playing Peggy Mitchell on Eastenders and for her Carry On movie roles in the 60s and 70s, has died. She was 83.
Windsor died from Alzheimer’s/ dementia at a rest home in London, her husband, Scott Mitchell, said. The British news agency, Pamedia, confirmed her death, with a statement from Mitchell. ‘‘I spent the last seven days by her side,’’ he said.
‘‘Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, a smile and affection for the many years of her love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives and the entertainment she gave to so many thousands of others during her career. Barbara’s final weeks were typical of how she lived her life. Full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end.’’
She died Friday morning, he said.
Windsor started on Eastenders
in 1994 and won accolades for her performance as Peggy Mitchell. She kept the role until 2016, with intermittent gaps over the 22 years.
She also starred in the Carry On
films and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Mitchell said her death was hard, but she had showed courage and helped spread awareness of Alzheimer’s/dementia.
‘‘It was not the ending that Barbara or anyone else living with this very cruel disease deserves,’’ Mitchell said.
‘‘I will always be immensely proud of Barbara’s courage, dignity and generosity dealing with her own illness and still trying to help others by raising awareness for as long as she could.’’
Windsor had no children. She married Mitchell, also a former actor, in 2000. – Stuff