From EastEnders to Carry On, Barbara Windsor’s career highlights
National treasure Barbara Windsor has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 80.
Barbara Windsor became one of the most recognisable faces on British television while playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.
The battleaxe mother of hardmen Phil and Grant, Dame Barbara was the landlady of the Queen Victoria and was often heard telling drinkers who had crossed her to “get outta my pub!”.
But before she had set foot in Albert Square, Dame Barbara, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, had enjoyed a glittering career in showbusiness.
Her career only went up from there and she appeared in hit TV series such as Dad’s Army, Worzel Gummidge and One Foot In The Grave.
Her work in the theatre saw her nominated for a Tony Award.
She also starred in the 1968 classic film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Playing the role of the “good time girl”, she first appeared in 1964’s Carry On Spying while her final role was in Carry On Dick in 1974.
One of her best remembered scenes, from 1969’s Carry On Camping, saw her bikini top fly off during outdoor aerobic exercises.
After 16 years of playing Peggy Mitchell, Dame Barbara left Albert Square in 2010, though made further occasional appearances before her character was killed off in 2016.
Windsor was awarded an MBE in the Millennium New Year honours and has also been given The Freedom of the City of London.
