Barbara Windsor’s career highlights: From Carry On to EastEnders

The stalwart of British TV has retired from acting after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
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Jennifer Ruby10 May 2018
The Weekender

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Barbara Windsor is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, with a career spanning 60 years on the big and small screen.

The actress is best known for her roles in the Carry On films and as pub landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, coining the immortal catchphrase “get outta my pub!”

But Windsor, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and now retired from acting, had a glittering career in showbusiness from an early age, after landing roles in the West End.

She made her stage debut aged 13, when she appeared in pantomime and, just a year later, the 80-year-old was in the West End in the musical Love From Judy.

'Get outta my pub': Barbara Windsor as Peggy Mitchell  
BBC

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.

Iconic: Windsor in Carry on Camping in 1969
The Rank Organisation

But, aside from her role in EastEnders, Dame Barbara is perhaps best known for appearing in several Carry On… films.

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.

In 2009, Windsor’s career was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at The British Soap Awards and in 2010 she featured in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland.

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.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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