One of EastEnders' most central and best loved characters, Barbara Windsor is back in Albert Square after a lengthy absence.
The 67-year-actress, who plays Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell, has been out of the series since April 2003. As far as fans of the award-winning soap were concerned Peggy was off in Brazil looking after son Grant, who had been injured in a car accident. But in reality Barbara was recovering from the debilitating Epstein-Barr virus.
Drawing her back temporarily to the Albert Square fold – she'll appear in just two episodes on Thursday and Friday – is the wedding of daughter Sam to local gangster Andy Hunter. But Peggy's impact will be as explosive as ever according to the former Carry On star.
"Peggy is the sort of person who'd want to outshine the bride!" says Barbara. "She likes everyone to know that she is queen bee and her daughter's wedding is the perfect opportunity."
And it was good to be back on set with her fellow cast-mates admitted the actress, who credits husband Scott, 40, helping nurse her back to health. "It was lovely seeing all the people I'd know for years. It was like being a the new girl."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
