Bye bye Babs

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Barbara Windsor

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Barbara with co-stars Rita Simons, Gynis Barber and Sam Womack

Up in flames

Eldest son Phil Mitchell has certainly not given Peggy an easy life. From his gangster ways and criminal activities, to his cheating heart and heavy fist it's fair to say her first born is a bit of thug. However Peggy has always forgiven and stood by her boy, whether it was his constant battle with the booze, even after his adulterous affair with his brother's wife. But recently Phil began to see Peggy as the reason why his two children, Ben and Louise, are no longer with him. She stopped Phil from doing a runner with Ben before he was sent to prison and she sent Louise back to her mother - because she thought was in the best interest of her grandchildren. Phil doesn't see it that way and in retaliation has not only jumped off the wagon with gusto, but has turned to drugs to block the pain of his mother's betrayal. The once unshakable Mitchell family bond has been well and truly shook. In her final week in Walford Peggy regains control of the Vic, but her happiness is short lived when Phil taunts her that she loves the pub more than him... when he doesn't get the answer he wants, his response, as Steve McFadden explains, is certainly a fiery one.

Where has Phil been these past few weeks?

He's taken himself away from the Square and his family and he's on a mission of self destruct. He has completely gone off the rails and doesn't see any point in caring anymore. He has lost both Ben and Louise and with them out of his life, he doesn't have anything to live for.

Why does Peggy think bringing him back to the Vic will help?

Peggy is determined that she is going to fix Phil, she thinks that if she gets him back home they will be able to sort him out. What she doesn't bargain on is how desperate Phil is and how he will react.

Peggy locks him into the front room of the Vic where she has the windows boarded up - we're guessing Phil is not best pleased about that?

He is going out of his mind. He is clearly unwell and although Peggy thinks she is doing the right thing by making him stay off the drugs, it is absolutely the worst way to deal with him. Phil is unwell and he needs proper help.

He tries to persuade Billy to help him out - does he?

It's obvious that Billy doesn't think Peggy is managing the situation the best way and he is concerned for Phil. He can see he is suffering and when Phil keeps begging Billy to help him, he really wants to. But Phil will say anything to get what he wants at the moment, he is desperate to get out of there and will tell Billy anything to get his own way.

He eventually escapes, what happens when he confronts Peggy?

She's shocked to see him in such a state and she knows that it's not going to be easy to contain him now. There's a huge argument between the two of them which results in Phil threatening to burn down the Vic.

Why does he threaten to burn down the pub?

He knows how much it will hurt his mum. Phil has always thought that Peggy puts the Vic before him and it's been a bone of contention for quite some time. Phil has been the one person that has stuck by Peggy, he stayed in Walford and has always been there for her but he has always felt a disappointment to Peggy. She always speaks so highly of Grant and it's obvious she will do absolutely anything for the Vic, but recently with what has happened with Louise and Ben, Phil feels as though Peggy doesn't really care for him, like he cares for her. That's why he knows the Vic is the way to get to Peggy.

How does he eventually end up doing it?

During the argument Phil grabs some matches and threatens Peggy. She doesn't honestly think he is going to do it so she calls his bluff, but he strikes the match...

Having had her as your on-screen mum for 16 years how do you feel about Barbara leaving the show?

Barbara told me quite early on and although I was sad to hear that she would be going, I completely understood her reasons. EastEnders is a great place to work and Barbara has given it 16 years of her life, but I think she deserves to put her feet up for a bit. On her last day it was strange knowing that she wouldn't be filming up here again but Barbara is a great friend so we will always stay in touch.

Do you think Phil can cope without Peggy?

That's a good question - it all depends if Phil makes it out alive.

Barbara says: "Peggy is thrilled when she finally gets her place as landlady back. The Vic means the world to Peggy, along with her family it's one of the things she loves most in life. Of course it hasn't come without its problems and on many occasions, the Vic itself has caused those problems, but right now Peggy wouldn't change anything and she wouldn't swap it for anything."

Peggy decides that Phil should be back where he belongs with his family in the Vic. She knew she would find him in a bad way, but never thought it would be this bad..

Barbara says: "Phil has always had a self destruct button and this time is no different. Losing Ben hit Phil hard and although Peggy thought it was the right thing to do for the interest of Louise, her taking Louise back to her mother was a huge trigger for his destruction. When she finds him slumped in some sort of drugs den, she is heartbroken, but it puts the fighting spirit back in her and she gets Phil back home determined to sort him out."

Having enlisted the help of Billy, Jay and Sam, the Mitchell's manage to drag Phil back to the Vic.

Barbara says; "The rest of the family think Peggy's crazy as Phil is behaving like an animal, but Peggy soldiers on and locks him upstairs in the Vic. She's doing what she thinks is the best for Phil as she loves him so much and she isn't going to give up on despite knowing that it is going to be a battle."

After escaping from Peggy's lockdown Phil is furious and determined to wreak havoc...

Barbara says: "Determined, Peggy sticks to her guns but that soon backfires when Phil breaks out and it leads to a big argument between the two. Phil really thinks that Peggy loves the Vic more than him and that's when he threatens to burn it down. Peggy calls his bluff but he drops the match and the whole place goes up. Rather than rush out, Peggy wants to try and stop the fire, but it gets out of control too quickly and she is forced to leave the Vic. Once she is outside, Peggy realises that Phil is trapped inside and goes back in to find him."

Stacey's confession

An out of control Stacey breaks down and reveals the real identity of Archie's killer to a shocked Peggy - she did it!

Barbara says: "At first Peggy doesn't believe her, she thinks that Stacey is just trying to clear Bradley's name but then Stacey admits that it was in fact her that killed Archie. She's stunned but soon realises that Stacey is telling the truth. Peggy tells Stacey that she is going to call the police but it soon all gets out of hand with Phil and the fire. Peggy doesn't think that Stacey is still inside, she is just focused on finding Phil but Stacey is trapped upstairs where Lily had been sleeping."

On Barbara's departure

June Brown "I shall miss her enormously and she is a wonderful friend. I will miss our lunches, coffee and catching up on gossip!"

Rita Simons "I am really going to miss Barbara. On set, Barbara is like my honorary real life auntie. She is a great mentor and she's taught me so much. Barbara is such a professional and it has been an honour to work with her. She is truly supportive and she will be greatly missed at EastEnders."

Sam Womack "There was a line in a script "you have always been like a mother to me" and that summed it up perfectly for me. Barbara took myself and Rita under her wing from the day we started and it's a wrench to let her go. We will miss her dearly and will definitely stay in touch - she won't be able to get rid of us!"

Suzanne Byrne