'EastEnders' Spoilers: Peggy Mitchell's Departure To Be Marked With Night Of BBC Specials
BBC Announce Grand Plans For Peggy Mitchell's Farewell
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The BBC have announced grand plans for Barbara Windsor's final star turn as 'EastEnders' favourite Peggy Mitchell, confirming that they will be commemorating the character in style.
Walford favourite Dame Barbara Windsor, 78, is leaving the soap for good, and her famous character will be killed off.
Viewers will learn how Dame Barbara felt about joining EastEnders and she will also share her memories of some of the most talked about moments during her 22-year stint as Peggy.
At the end of the special, Dame Barbara will introduce the episode in which time finally runs out for cancer-stricken Peggy.
When the episode concludes, fans can tune into BBC iPlayer to see a special featurette called Peggy Mitchell: Last Orders.
The featurette will go behind the scenes of filming and it will also include interviews with current and previous cast members who will celebrate all things Peggy Mitchell.
In addition to Dame Barbara, there will be contributions from Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden, the two actors who play her screen sons Grant and Phil Mitchell, respectively.
McFadden, 57, will open up about working alongside Dame Barbara and he will explain why Peggy's demise is the "end of a chapter".
The BBC promises more guests from in front of, and behind, the camera who will describe how Dame Barbara created a soap giant.
Alex Jones, co-presenter of The One Show alongside Matt Baker, said: "It was wonderful to meet my all-time favourite EastEnders character.
"She was very welcoming and we had a fascinating chat about her long and fabulous career, on and off the Square.
"Dame Barbara and Peggy certainly share the same warmth and infectious laugh."
Jones added: "She is a living showbiz legend and although it will be sad to say goodbye to Peggy, Matt and I hope that we will continue to see Dame Barbara on our screens for a long time yet."
Before joining the BBC One soap, Dame Barbara was best known for her Carry On movies.
She played Peggy full-time until 2010, and subsequently revived the Walford stalwart for occasional appearances.
As the landlady of the Queen Vic, Peggy was much-loved for her feisty temperament and for her "Get outta mah pub!" catchphrase.
Initially played by Jo Warne in 1991, Peggy was recast with Dame Barbara walking into Albert Square three years later. She immediately made the role her own.
'EastEnders': The Women Of Albert Square
Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement, 1986-2012)(01 of12)
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Not a day goes by where we don't miss Pat and her wonderful, wonderful earrings. (credit:BBC )
Living legend Barbara Windsor has made numerous visits to Albert Square since officially leaving. She'll be back for live week, and fingers crossed there'll be a chance for the Queen Vic's most memorable landlady to yell that line again: "Get outta ma pub!" (credit:BBC )
Chrissie Watts (Tracey Ann Oberman, 2004-05)(04 of12)
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After years of bullying Angie, Den Watts finally met his match in Chrissie, who gave as good as she got. Until murdering him, obviously. Sadly, she coudn't plan a good enough getaway, and was stopped by police as she prepared to board a flight. (credit:BBC )
Janine terrorised everyone from Billy Mitchell and Ian Beale, to Alice Branning, during her time in Walford. After inheriting millions, Janine became even more infuriatingly smug, but karma hit back and when she finally fell for Michael Moon, things didn't end well. (credit:BBC )
Linda Carter (Kellie Bright, 2014-Present)(06 of12)
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She may be the newest of the bunch, but Kellie's character hasn't had it easy since moving into The Vic. While Linda has done her best to hold together the Carters, she's had a rough time, suffering a horrific assault at the hands of her brother-in-law, and acting as peacekeeper during the family's many feuds. Can she hold things together? (credit:BBC )
Pauline was the original 'EastEnders' matriach, and there wasn't a problem she couldn't fix. Sadly, actress Wendy died in 2009, following a battle with breast cancer. (credit:BBC )
Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell, 2011-Present)(08 of12)
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Cora's dry sense of humour and witty putdowns manage to inspire giggles during even the most torturous scenes. As mother to Tanya and Rainie, she certainly has more than her fair shares of problems. (credit:BBC )
Where would we be without Dot's wise words? The laundrette worker has been on hand to offer advice to anyone who needs it, since the show first aired in 1985. (credit:BBC )
Shirley Carter (Linda Henry, 2006-Present)(10 of12)
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If she's good enough for ummm, Phil Mitchell, then she's good enough for us. (credit:BBC )
Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace, 2000-04, 2005, 2010-Present)(11 of12)
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Kat's the only Slater sister who's stuck around following the family's 2000 arrival. (credit:BBC )
Tracey (Jane Slaughter, 1985-Present)(12 of12)
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Jane is the longest-serving member of the cast, y'know. Bravo to Tracey for managing not to chip in during all those rows... (credit:BBC )