With her bouncy blonde curls and infectious laugh, Barbara Windsor was destined to become an entertainment industry icon. After finding fame for her risqué performances in the Carry On films, Barbara cemented herself as the queen of British soaps playing EastEnders’ feisty pub landlady Peggy Mitchell with her infamous catchphrase, “Get outta my pub!”
So when Barbara’s husband, Scott Mitchell, announced that she’d passed away peacefully aged 83 on the evening of 10 December, the showbiz world reacted with sorrow at losing one of its greats.
“Barbara’s final weeks were typical of how she lived her life. Full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end,” Scott said when revealing her death.
Born Barbara Deeks to bus conductor John and dressmaker Rose in Shoreditch, east London, in 1937, Barbara was evacuated to Blackpool during the Second World War, before returning to her home city in 1944. She made her stage debut aged 13, racking up theatre appearances in Oh! What A Lovely War and Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be.
She appeared alongside Sir Sean Connery in On The Fiddle in 1961, before being nominated for a Best Actress BAFTA for her role in kitchen-sink film classic Sparrows Can’t Sing in 1963.
This story is from the December 21, 2020 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 21, 2020 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'YOU'LL SEE IT ALL ESCALATE'
Tensions boil over when Emmerdale newlyweds Belle and Tom throw a dinner party, as the cast of a one-off special episode reveal
'EVERY SERIES SURPRISED US'
As Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith prepare to go Inside No 9 for the last time, they reflect on a decade of dark comedy and the joys and challenges of creating 55 different worlds to delight viewers
GREEK IS THE WORD
These mouth-watering Mediterranean dishes use fewer ingredients, so are simple-yet-delicious recipes to ease you through the week
Evil stepmum who killed her stepson and threw his body off a bridge
Letecia Stauch seemed like the perfect parent, but the jealous murderer fooled everyone
"Transitioning was something I had to do'
Endurance sport helped Farrah Herbert, 51, get through tough times – now she wants her story to help others
Vernon in fa bit of a panic
As Vernon Kay turns 50, a source tells new the Radio 2 presenter has “mixed feelings” about reaching his milestone birthday
Olly's gutted to leave Madi
Singer Olly Murs was back on tour with Take That just days after becoming a dad
Meghan and Harry disagree on plan
Ahead of their new Netflix shows, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are divided on bringing their children into the limelight, a source tells new
'I wish I was a hit with the ladies'
Former TOWIE star James Argent on losing weight and being on the lookout for love
Holly 'will miss her kids
Holly Willoughby is torn as she gets set to leave her family for a big career opportunity abroad, a source tells New