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Actress Windsor quits EastEnders Actress Windsor quits EastEnders
(20 minutes later)
Actress Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, is to leave the soap next year, programme bosses have announced. Actress Barbara Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, is to leave the BBC One soap next year.
The 72-year-old, who has played the Albert Square matriarch since 1994, said she wanted to spend more time with her husband. The 72-year-old has played the Albert Square matriarch since 1994.
The star said: "I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind," and thanked viewers and colleagues for their support. The star, who won a lifetime achievement gong at this year's British Soap Awards, said she wanted to spend more time with her husband.
Windsor won a lifetime achievement gong at the British Soap Awards this year. "I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind. EastEnders has been wonderful to me and it's no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago," she said.
The actress said: "EastEnders has been wonderful to me and it's no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago."
'Truly iconic''Truly iconic'
She added that Peggy has been a "wonderful character to play", and singled out showing the Queen around the set of EastEnders as "something that will stay with me forever".She added that Peggy has been a "wonderful character to play", and singled out showing the Queen around the set of EastEnders as "something that will stay with me forever".
"I'm looking forward to the future and I suppose when all's said and done, I should spend a bit more time with my old man, as he's not getting any younger.""I'm looking forward to the future and I suppose when all's said and done, I should spend a bit more time with my old man, as he's not getting any younger."
EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer called Windsor's character "truly iconic". Barbara Windsor first appeared in EastEnders 15 years ago
Windsor's agent Barry Burnett told BBC News that the star had no intention of retiring from showbusiness.
"Oh no, absolutely not, can you imagine that? Anyone who knows Barbara knows what she's like," he said.
EastEnders executive producer 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."Barbara has contributed so much to EastEnders over the last 15 years, plus countless episodes, and countless amazing storylines.
"She has made the Mitchells the premiere family of British soap," he added."She has made the Mitchells the premiere family of British soap," he added.
"I so much enjoy working with her - catching up with the gossip, listening to her stories, talking about the show, benefiting from her advice, and most importantly revelling in her powerful, funny, passionate performances."I so much enjoy working with her - catching up with the gossip, listening to her stories, talking about the show, benefiting from her advice, and most importantly revelling in her powerful, funny, passionate performances.
"All of us at EastEnders - and our audience - are going to miss her hugely.""All of us at EastEnders - and our audience - are going to miss her hugely."