News - Barbara Windsor sensationally quit Eastenders today. The former 'Carry On' actress has played Peggy Mitchell for 15 years.

72 year-old Barbara Windsor won the 'Lifetime Achievement' award at this year's British Soap Awards for her role in the number one British soap.

"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," Barbara told the BBC. She added that the role of Peggy has been a "wonderful character to play".

However, Babs, who has long been a gay icon, feels that now is the time to leave the Albert Square matriarch behind: "I'm looking forward to the future and I suppose when all's said and done, I should spend a bit more time with my old man, as he's not getting any younger."

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Barbara Windsor

    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor at gay pride with Graham Norton

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    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor

    Getty Images

    Barbara Windsor

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    Barbara Windsor

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EastEnders executive producer Diederick Santer has described Peggy Mitchell as "truly iconic", thanks to Barbara. "Barbara has contributed so much to EastEnders over the last 15 years, plus countless episodes, and countless amazing storylines. She has made the Mitchells the premiere family of British soap"

"I so much enjoy working with her - catching up with the gossip, listening to her stories, talking about the show, benefiting from her advice, and most importantly revelling in her powerful, funny, passionate performances," he added. "All of us at EastEnders - and our audience - are going to miss her hugely."

Her agent Barry Burnett told BBC News that this decision to quit the soap did not mean that Barbara would be retiring from showbusiness: "Oh no, absolutely not, can you imagine that? Anyone who knows Barbara knows what she's like," he said.

During her time in Eastenders, Barbara was asked to show the Queen around the set of EastEnders, which she has described as "something that will stay with me forever".