EastEnders' Barbara Windsor is to leave Albert Square after more than 15 years on the BBC soap.
The 72-year-old, who has played the role of Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell since 1994, will leave next year.
Windsor described her character as "wonderful to play", after landing storylines such as marrying and divorcing Frank Butcher, ending an engagement to Harry Slater after she discovered he raped his niece and dealing with breast cancer
"I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind. EastEnders has been wonderful to me and it's no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago," she said.
Paying tribute to the actress, the BBC's controller of drama production, John Yorke, said: "To most of the British public Barbara is EastEnders, and it's almost impossible to imagine Albert Square without her."
The actress, also known for her roles in the Carry On movies, was awarded an MBE in 1999 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards in May this year.
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Posted by Carla Spuri. |