EastEnders stars pay tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor as she passses away aged 83 

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Dame Barbara Windsor starred on EastEnders as pub landlady Peggy Mitchell on and off from 1994 to 2016 and was famous for her catchphrase: ‘Get outta ma pub!’

And her former castmates took to social media in their droves to pay tribute to the TV legend after learning she had passed away aged 83 following her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Barbara died at 8.35pm on Thursday at a London care home, her husband Scott Mitchell, 57, confirmed. 

Jessie Wallace, 49, who played Kat Slater wrote: ‘My darling Barbara. So heartbroken to hear you have left us. I love you.’ 

Adam Woodyatt, 52, whose character Ian Beale was once punched on the show by Peggy, called it an ‘honour and a privilege to have known Barbara, in a sweet Instagram post on Friday morning. 

Sharing a photograph of them, he wrote: ‘I took this when Dame Barbara was filming her last episodes of EastEnders in 2016.

‘I grew up watching Babs in the Carry On films and for me to then work with her it was a privilege and honour. 

‘I have so many happy memories and moments that I will always cherish, even when Peggy floored Ian with a punch. My thoughts are with her amazing husband Scott, her family and friends. Rest in peace Barbara xxxx.’

A representative for Steve McFadden, who plays Dame Barbara’s on-screen son Phil Mitchell, said he was ‘devastated’ by her death as he led tributes for the beloved actress.

Patsy Palmer, 48, who played Bianca Jackson, wrote in the comments: ‘So so sad. Just thinking of us all in the reception when we all used to sit there!!!’

She also shared some pictures of herself with Barbara on her own account and wrote: ‘Verified I’m extremely sad to hear that my friend “Dame“ Babara Windsor has passed away. 

‘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. 

‘@scott.mitchell3 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.’  

Former EastEnders co-star Larry Lamb who played Archie Mitchell, her onscreen husband in the show paid tribute to a ‘tough and beautiful little lady’ on Friday.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: ‘She was definitely the head girl at EastEnders, she knew how to be the leading lady. The word star gets bandied about a bit these days but she really was a star.’

The actor said that Dame Barbara’s gratefulness she was given a role in the BBC soap always shone through.

He said: ‘We had lots of conversations that ranged over all sorts of subjects. I remember her saying the years in between were tough when she was trying to put together enough money to live off.

‘And it was really really hard because there were those lean years after the Carry On films and she was in the wilderness, and the one thing she never made any bones about was that Eastenders really changed her life and put her back on the map and gave her the means to earn a good living, and that’s what she went on to do.’

Danny Dyer, 43, whose character, Mick Carter took over the Queen Vic pub, wrote: Rest in Peace Babs. There is only one Dame in my eyes. So grateful to have known ya. You was a beautiful rare one. ❤️❤️❤️.’

Robert Kazinsky, 37, who plays Sean Slater, tweeted: ‘What a joy it was to have known and worked with her. To have her tell me to ‘Gerrout mah pub,’ to have shared so many chats on rainy days. 

Tamzin Outhwaite, 50, who played Mel Owen, tweeted: ‘Meant to be sleeping but can’t…. RIP Barbara Windsor…’ 

Ricky J Norwood, 34, who played Fatboy, wrote: ‘RIP Barbara Windsor. Such sad news to wake up to. I was lucky enough to work with her on @bbceastenders.. full of energy,

‘Big smile, so warm and welcoming. Thank you x It meant a lot. Loved that you always had time for young actors and fans. Legend. We miss you already.’ 

Barbara’s husband Scott described the EastEnders legend’s final weeks as ‘typical of how she lived her life’ and ‘full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end’.

Outside of EastEnders, David Walliams crowned the ‘national treasure’, who is best-known for her signature soap catchphrase ‘get outta my pub!’, as the ‘unofficial Queen of England’ in a touching message. 

The comedian, 49, penned on Twitter: ‘Goodbye Dame Babs. You were my first love as a child in the Carry On films & I will love you forever. 

‘Working with you, spending time with you & being your friend was one of the greatest thrills of my life. The unofficial Queen of England, an icon treasured by the nation.’ David’ (sic) 

‘All my love goes to Scott who was a family friend before EE was even a twinkle in the eye. #RIPBabs what a life, what a lady.’ 

Barbara’s good friend and fellow Carry On star Amanda Barrie joined Friday’s Good Morning Britain to pay tribute to the national treasure.

Speaking to Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins, Amanda recalled the last time she saw Barbara at her 80th birthday party, three years ago. 

She said: ‘She was frail but she knew me. Because like everybody in our profession, we all go different ways after a job. June Brown was there, there were just a few of us that had known Barbara a long time. She knew me and she remembered the things that I would prefer to remember. Life does awful things and it’s not fair…’ 

On Barbara’s bond with her husband Scott, Amanda said: ‘Wasn’t that wonderful? And that of all things, for Barbara to have that relationship and for him to be so wonderful, I was so glad. I would send my love to him and all those things that you say that don’t mean anything really, but there aren’t any words for it are there really anyway?’ 

Summing up what Barbara meant to her, Amanda explained: ‘What she meant, in a funny sort of way, if I think about Barbara, she was part of my youth, that part of your life when everything is in front of you…in our case both of us were lucky, that is a bond you sort of keep as we both started off the same way.

‘I did say to Barbara the last time I saw her, I said, “If anybody had let me put money on at Ladbrokes when we were at Winston’s that you were going to be a dame, I would be worth a fortune.” A less likely dame you’ve ever met. Us toddling round in those mini skirts and heels and eyelashes. That was a good dame.’ 

Jonathan Ross also gushed over how Barbara, who found fame in the 1960s as a buxom blonde in the Carry On films, ‘was everything you might have hoped for’. 

The TV presenter, 60, wrote: ‘Barbara Windsor in real life was everything you might have hoped for. So warm, so funny, so kind. Goodnight sweetheart x #BarbaraWindsor’.

And Tony Blackburn, 77, tweeted: ‘So sorry to hear Barbara Windsor has passed away, a lovely lady who was always such fun. R.I.P. Babs.’ 

Ben Ofoedu, 48, known as being one-half of pop duo Phats & Small, also paid tribute to the ‘true legend’ as he penned that he was ‘proud’ to know Dame Barbara.

He said: ‘A national treasure has gone to take her place with the stars in heaven. A really lovely person that I’m proud to say I knew and was fortunate too converse with on many occasions. A true legend in every sense of the word R.I.P Barbara Windsor’

Hoards of soap stars, including Hollyoaks’ Nathalie Emmanuel and Anne Wallace, were quick to flood social media with heartfelt tributes to the EastEnders legend.

Game of Thrones star Nathalie, 31, penned: ‘Oh wow… actually feel really sad about the passing of Barbara Windsor.

‘She was a legend… and the many ‘… ‘Allo Mum…’ *pans to Phil and/or Grant Mitchell* duff duff moments will always be the most iconic in my opinion. May she rest in peace.’

Meanwhile Anne, who plays Sally St. Clair in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, posted a touching message to the ‘legendary British actress’.  

The X Factor singing duo Jedward, Scottish TV presenter Gillian McKeith and comedian David Baddiel were also among those who paid their respects to the national treasure.

Gospel choir singer, and 2012 The X Factor runner-up, Jahméne Douglas also penned a lengthy tribute to Barbara as he said he was glad he got to ‘experience your unforgettable giggle’ in real life.

He wrote: ‘RIP Dame Barbara Windsor I’m so glad I got to experience your unforgettable giggle in person, your energy & smile. Thank you for the words you shared with me, your kindness & heart. 

‘What a life, what a woman, what a legend. May that cheeky giggle Carry On in our hearts!  

The household name was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 before making the news public in 2018.

Barbara’s husband Scott described the EastEnders legend’s final weeks as ‘typical of how she lived her life’ and ‘full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end’.

He continued: ‘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.’

Scott, 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, he 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.’

Dame Barbara made her debut as Peggy in 1994 and soon became one of the small screen’s best-loved characters as she yelled at rogue drinkers to ‘get outta 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.

The character left our screens in 2003 when Dame Barbara took a sabbatical for medical reasons after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus, but she returned as a series regular in 2005.

In 2009, Dame Barbara announced she would be leaving the soap again in order to spend more time with her husband Scott, who she married in 2000.

She returned for cameo appearances in the soap over the next few years but in 2016 she played Peggy for the final time.

Her final scenes aired in May that year as the Walford stalwart took her own life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Before becoming synonymous with Albert Square, Dame Barbara delighted Carry On fans with her portrayals of a ‘good time girl,’ appearing in nine films in a series known for its bawdy humour.

She first appeared in Carry On Spying in 1964, with her final film role coming in 1974’s Carry On Dick.

One of Dame Barbara’s most famous scenes was in 1969’s Carry On Camping, when her bikini top flew off in the middle of an exercise class.

The actress was made a dame in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list for her services to charity and entertainment.

Both Dame Barbara and her husband campaigned to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s following her diagnosis.

In August this year, Mitchell said his wife had been moved to a care home in London.