News
Windsor to leave EastEnders
Wednesday 28 October 2009
The 72-year-old said: "'EastEnders' has been wonderful to me and it's no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago.
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"I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind, she's such a wonderful character to play. I have had the pleasure of working with a marvellous cast and crew and have made many lasting good friends."
Windsor added: "I would like to thank the BBC for the incredible opportunity they gave me and above all, I must thank the wonderful viewers for their support over the years.
"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."
Diederick Santer, the executive producer of 'EastEnders', said: "Barbara has contributed so much to 'EastEnders' over the last 15 years, plus countless episodes, and countless amazing storylines.
"Peggy Mitchell is a truly iconic character, and along with Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp, Barbara has made the Mitchells the premier family of British soap.
"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."
Windsor was the second actress to play Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, after Jo Warne had the role briefly in 1991.
A case of the Epstein-Barr virus forced Windsor to take a two-year break from the show from 2003 to 2005.
She has been involved in some high-profile storylines in the soap, including a breast cancer plotline in 1996. The plot, which saw Peggy battle the disease and deal with a mastectomy, was praised by viewers and fellow cancer sufferers.
Peggy has had a chequered love life in Albert Square. She married Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) in 1999 but later learned he was having an affair with ex-wife Pat (Pam St Clement), leading to an infamous showdown between the two women.
She was engaged to Harry Slater (Michael Elphick) in 2001, but ended their relationship when she learned he had raped his niece Kat (Jessie Wallace) as a child.
Peggy married her late husband's brother Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) this year, but split from him when she discovered his evil nature.
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