Barbara Windsor dies: British stars pay tribute to ‘genuine national treasure’ and iconic EastEnders actress

Tributes have poured in for EastEnders and Carry On star Dame Barbara Windsor following her death aged 83.

The actress, one of the nation’s most beloved entertainment stars, died at a care home in London on Thursday evening following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Her husband Scott Mitchell announced her death and described the actress as his “best friend and soul mate,” adding: “my heart or life will never feel the same without you.”

Following the announcement tributes flooded in for the “genuine national treasure,” who played Peggy Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders.

Barbara Windsor - In pictures

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Leading the tributes, Dame Barbara’s husband 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. ”

Comedian and actor Matt Lucas said "the whole country is in mourning" following Dame Barbara’s death.

Lucas posted a picture of himself with the late actress and said: "You don't become a Dame by accident. Everyone knew Barbara Windsor and everyone loved her.

"She delighted us on stage and sparkled on screen in a long and illustrious career.

“She also worked tirelessly for charity, and continued to do so, even when her own health was failing her.

"Her devoted husband Scott has been utterly selfless and heroic in caring for her and I am devastated for him.

"I will miss her warmth, her generosity, her laughter and the kindness she showed me.

“She was a remarkable woman and it's not an overstatement to say I think the whole country is in mourning today."

Patsy Palmer, who played Bianca Jackson in EastEnders, shared a moving tribute to Dame Barbara on Instagram.

Alongside pictures of the pair together, as well as a photograph of a young Dame Barbara, Palmer said: “I'm sitting here thinking of the 100's of memories we shared. "Too many to comprehend.

“We were like family for a long time, ups downs, ins and outs but you will never meet a more professional actress than Babs."

Palmer, 48, also praised Dame Barbara's husband. She wrote: "[Scott Mitchell] You were the best husband she could've wished for . You deserve the highest accolade. 

"We shared such magical times together and I'll cherish every one . 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 and so did you . Love you both very much . I'm gutted ! I could say so much but I'm so sad . RIP BABS." 

Actress Danniella Westbrook, who played Dame Barbara's on-screen daughter Sam Mitchell, tweeted: "MY HEART IS BROKEN .

“Bar you will always be in my heart forever. Good bye , I LOVE YOU XXX RIP Barbara WINDSOR." 

TV presenter Jonathan Ross said Dame Barbara was in real life was “so warm, so funny, so kind. In his tribute on Twitter, he added: “Goodnight sweetheart”.

Lucas' Little Britain co-star David Walliams said Dame Barbara was his "first love as a child" in the Carry On films, adding "I will love you forever".

He said: "Working with you, spending time with you, and being your friend was the one of the greatest thrills of my life. You were the unofficial Queen of England, an icon for over half a century and treasured by the nation." 

In his tribute to the actress, veteran DJ Tony Blackburn tweeted: "So sorry to hear Barbara Windsor has passed away.

“A lovely lady who was always such fun. R.I.P. Babs."

A representative for Steve McFadden, who plays Dame Barbara's on-screen son Phil Mitchell, said the actor was "devastated" by her death.

The Mitchells have been crucial to EastEnders' success and longevity and viewers were for years gripped by the drama surrounding the family.

Dame Barbara was made Londoner of the Year at the Press Club Awards in October for her outstanding contribution to life in the capital.

Club chair Doug Wills said today: “We express our deep condolences to Dame Barbara’s husband Scott and her family, and join with everyone today in remembering her for bringing a richness of joy and drama to our lives. The Club would also like to pay tribute again to all Dame Barbara did to support those suffering from Alzheimer’s.”

Broadcaster Nick Ferrari who chaired the Press Club awards judges said: “Born and bred in this great city, Barbara was as much a part of London as Tower Bridge or Big Ben, which makes it so poignantly fitting that the last award she was to receive was from the London Press Club.”

Dame Barbara made her debut as Peggy in 1994. She soon became one of the small screen's best-loved characters, and famously yelled at drinkers to "get out my pub!".

It became the defining role of her career and saw her star alongside Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden as her fictional sons Grant and Phil, with the late Mike Reid as her on-screen husband Frank Butcher.

Comedian David Baddiel paid tribute on social media, saying: "RIP the very lovely, very funny Barbara Windsor. What a genuine national treasure she was."

Jedward tweeted a montage of Dame Barbara on EastEnders telling people to "get out of my pub”.

The former X Factor stars said: "RIP you iconic legend Barbara Windsor”.

Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules tweeted a black and white picture of Dame Barbara, writing alongside it: "Chorus Girl - Star, Dame Barbara Windsor, has taken her final bow... RIP".

One of Britain's most beloved entertainment stars, she first found fame in her role as a buxom blonde in the Carry On films.

Later became a household name playing Peggy Mitchell, the Queen Vic's battle-axe landlady in BBC soap EastEnders.

Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 and made the news public in 2018.

She died at 8.35pm on Thursday at a London care home, her husband said.

He said the cherished actress's final weeks were "typical of how she lived her life" and "full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end".

Mr Mitchell said: "Her passing was from Alzheimer's/dementia and Barbara eventually died peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.

"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.

"It was not the ending that Barbara or anyone else living with this very cruel disease deserve. 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."

Mr Mitchell, who alongside his wife campaigned for greater dementia care from the Government, added: "Dementia/Alzheimer's remains the UKs number one killer. Although in challenging times, I urge the Prime Minister, his government and other parties to be true to their previous promises and invest more into dementia/Alzheimer's research and care.

"Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and carers who are angels at the care home for your kindness and care to Barbara and I throughout her stay with you. You are my heroes.

"And my gratitude to our family, friends and everyone in the media and the general public for all the good wishes and warm support that has been shown to Barbara over the last few years during her illness. Barbara deeply appreciated that."

At the end of his moving tribute, Mr Mitchell said: "May you rest in peace now my precious Bar. I've lost my wife, my best friend and soul mate and my heart or life will never feel the same without you.

"I will be making no further statements and now need the time to grieve this painful, personal loss."

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