National Treasure: Barbara Windsor

Barbara Windsor, born Barbara Ann Deeks on 6 August 1937 is an English actress, best known for her roles in the Carry On films and as matriarch Peggy Mitchell in Eastenders.

The daughter of a costermonger and a dressmaker, Windsor mage her stage debut at 13, and appeared in the chorus of Love From Judy in the West End in 1952.

Windsor has appeared in films such as The Belles of St Trinian’s and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in theatre and in the sitcoms The Rag Trade and Wild, Wild Women.

From 1964 until 1974, Windsor starred as characters including Hope Springs, Nurse Susan Bell and Goldie Locks in nine of the Carry On films, known for their innuendo and sending-up British institutions and customs.

In 1994, Windsor was cast as Peggy Mitchell, a role that she played until 2010. For this role she received the Best Actress award at the British Soap Awards in 1999 and a Lifetime Achievement award in 2009.

Image credit: Karen Roe