Barbara Windsor
Dame Barbara Windsor (born Barbara Ann Deeks; 6 August 193710 December 2020) was an English actress. She was known for her roles in the Carry On films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders. She joined the cast of EastEnders in 1994 and won the 1999 British Soap Award for Best Actress, before leaving the show in 2016.
Also recorded as Dame Barbara Windsor · Barbara Ann Windsor · Barbara Ann Knight · Barbara Deeks
Barbara Windsor
Portlandvillage · CC BY 3.0
- Birth Name
- Barbara Ann Deeks
- Born
- 6 August 1937
- Birthplace
- Shoreditch, London, England
- Died
- 10 December 2020
- Place of death
- Stanmore, London, England
- Occupation
- Actress
- Spouse
- * * *
- Full name
- Barbara Ann Deeks.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom.
- Education
- Aida Foster Theatre School and Our Lady's Catholic High School.
- Honours
- Member of the Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, British Soap Award for Best Actress and British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement.
- Languages
- English.
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Documentary summary
Dame Barbara Windsor (born Barbara Ann Deeks; 6 August 193710 December 2020) was an English actress. She was known for her roles in the Carry On films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders. She joined the cast of EastEnders in 1994 and won the 1999 British Soap Award for Best Actress, before leaving the show in 2016.
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Educated At · outgoing
Aida Foster Theatre School
Organisation

Died In · outgoing
London
Place
Pencil sketch by George Henry Harlow, 1814, http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/largerimage.php?mkey=mw05495
Educated At · outgoing
Our Lady's Catholic High School
Organisation
Born In · outgoing
Shoreditch
Place
Citizen Of · outgoing
United Kingdom
Place
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q449062 · wikipedia · Barbara Windsor
In this article
Biography
Biography
Windsor began her career on stage in 1950 at the age of 13, and made her film debut as a schoolgirl in The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954) while studying shipping management at Bow Technical College. She received a BAFTA Award nomination for the film Sparrows Can't Sing (1963), and a Tony Award nomination for the 1964 Broadway production of Oh, What a Lovely War!. In 1972, she starred opposite Vanessa Redgrave in the West End production of The Threepenny Opera. Between 1964 and 1974, she appeared in nine Carry On films, including Carry On Spying (1964), Carry On Doctor (1967), Carry On Camping (1969), Carry On Henry (1971), and Carry On Abroad (1972). She also co-presented the 1977 Carry On compilation That's Carry On!. Windsor also starred in all four "Carry On Christmas" Thames TV specials, and appeared in both series of the 1975 ATV sitcom "Carry On Laughing". Outside of Carry On, her other film roles included A Study in Terror (1965), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), and as the voice of Mallymkun, the Dormouse in Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016). Windsor was made a Dame (DBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to charity and entertainment. She was awarded the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2010, as well as the Freedom of the City of London in 2010.
Barbara Windsor studied at Aida Foster Theatre School and Our Lady's Catholic High School. The recorded working language is English. Distinctions recorded are Member of the Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, British Soap Award for Best Actress and British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Barbara Windsor at the funeral service for actress Wendy Richard at St Marylebone Parish Church.
Garry Knight · originally posted to Flickr as Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor talks to the press after a ceremonial tree planting (W1W Trees) in Marylebone, London
Portlandvillage
Key facts
Key facts
• Honorific Prefix — Dame • Birth Name — Barbara Ann Deeks • Born — 6 August 1937 • Birthplace — Shoreditch, London, England • Died — 10 December 2020 • Place of death — Stanmore, London, England • Resting Place — Golders Green Crematorium • Occupation — Actress • Years Active — 1950–2017 • Spouse — * * *
Early life
Early life
Windsor was born on 6 August 1937 in Shoreditch, London (though her birth was registered in Stepney), the only child of John Deeks, a bus driver, and his wife, Rose (née Ellis), a dressmaker. The family lived on Angela Street. Her maternal great-grandmother was the daughter of Irish immigrants who fled to Great Britain from Ireland between 1846 and 1851 in order to escape the Great Famine. In 1939, at the start of World War II, Windsor's father was called up for the war, so Windsor and her mother went to live with her mother's family in Yoakley Road, Stoke Newington, where Windsor attended St Mary's Infants' School in nearby Lordship Road. Windsor's mother initially refused to let her be evacuated, but conceded after one of Windsor's school friends was killed by a bomb during an air raid. Aged 6, Windsor was evacuated to Blackpool to live with a couple, but they attempted to sexually abuse her. A neighbour heard Windsor's screams and alerted the authorities. The couple were arrested and were found to not be married, but to be brother and sister. Windsor moved in with a schoolfriend and her parents, although they struggled to cope with her loud behaviour. They sent Windsor to dancing school, which sparked her interest in performing, although one night after a class, Windsor found her friend's father kissing another woman in a bus shelter. Humiliated by this, Windsor was sent back to London in 1944 along with a note from her dance teacher which read: "Barbara is a born show-off who loves to perform." Impressed by this, Windsor's mother sent her to Madame Behenna's Juvenile Jollities, a drama school at which she appeared in several charity concerts and pantomimes. After the war, she passed her 11-plus exams, gaining the top mark in North London, and earned a scholarship for a place at Our Lady's Catholic High School, Stamford Hill, although she was expelled because she argued with the reverend mother after the latter refused to let Windsor have time off to appear in a pantomime. Windsor moved to the Aida Foster School, Golders Green, and took elocution lessons. When Windsor's father came to watch a performance, she was ridiculed by the others as her father had begun working as a trolley bus conductor and had come in his uniform. Enraged, Windsor covered the girls in theatrical face powder, throwing more over the chaperone who tried to stop her. Despite this, Windsor was chosen to appear in the chorus of the successful musical Love From Judy in the West End in 1952, which ran for two years. Her stage name of "Windsor" was inspired by the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. By the time she was 16, Windsor's parents divorced, and she was made to testify unwillingly against her father in court. Because custody of her had been awarded to her mother following the divorce, Windsor's father ceased all contact with Windsor, and would ignore her if he saw her in the street for many years afterwards.
Career
Career
Windsor made her film debut as an uncredited extra in 1954 playing a schoolgirl in The Belles of St. Trinians; she followed this with several other uncredited roles until she appeared in Too Hot to Handle (1960) with Jayne Mansfield. According to Windsor, Mansfield demanded that she appear at the back of the scene they shared, as she was worried Windsor's blonde hair and large chest would overshadow her own. After this, Windsor made her television debut when Johnny Brandon, with whom Windsor had starred in Love from Judy, asked her to appear in his television series Dreamer's Highway. Windsor later appeared in musical shows Variety Parade, The Jack Jackson Show, and Six-Five Special, regularly singing with bands. She then became a regular cabaret act at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho, and went on to do the same at the Winston's club alongside Danny La Rue and Amanda Barrie. After joining Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, she came to prominence in their 1959 stage production Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be and Littlewood's film Sparrows Can't Sing (1963), achieving a BAFTA nomination for Best British Film Actress. She also appeared in the comedy films Crooks in Cloisters (1964) and San Ferry Ann (1965), the thriller film A Study in Terror (1965), the fantasy film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Ken Russell's musical film The Boy Friend (1971), and the TV sitcoms The Rag Trade and Wild, Wild Women.
Carry On
Carry On
Windsor came to prominence with her portrayals of a "good-time girl" in nine Carry On films. Her first was Carry On Spying in 1964 and her final one was Carry On Dick in 1974. She also appeared in several Carry On... television and compilation specials between 1964 and 1977. One of her best known scenes was in Carry On Camping (1969), where her bikini top flew off during outdoor aerobic exercises. In typical Carry On style, exposure is implied, but little is, in fact, seen. From 1973 to 1975, she appeared with several of the Carry On team in the West End revue Carry On London!. She was strongly identified with the Carry On films for many years, which restricted the roles she was offered later in her career.
Theatre
Theatre
Windsor starred on Broadway in the Theatre Workshop's Oh, What a Lovely War! and received a 1965 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She also appeared in several stage productions including Lionel Bart's musical flop Twang!! (1965) (directed by Joan Littlewood), The Beggar's Opera (1967), Come Spy with Me (1966–67) with Danny La Rue and in 30 pantomimes between 1950 and 2011. In 1970, she landed the role of music hall legend Marie Lloyd in the musical-biopic Sing A Rude Song. In 1972, she appeared in the West End in Tony Richardson's The Threepenny Opera with Vanessa Redgrave. In 1975, she toured the UK, New Zealand, and South Africa in her own show, Carry On Barbara!, and followed this with the role of Maria in Twelfth Night at the Chichester Festival Theatre. In 1981, she played sex-mad landlady Kath in Joe Orton's black comedy Entertaining Mr Sloane at the Lyric Hammersmith, directed by her friend Kenneth Williams. She reprised the role for a national tour with the National Theatre in 1993 co-starring John Challis of Only Fools and Horses fame.
EastEnders
EastEnders
• Illustration — Waxwork of Windsor as Peggy Mitchell displayed in Blackpool When EastEnders was launched in 1985, the producers said they would not cast well-known actors (although Wendy Richard was a rare exception). Windsor has said that she would have liked to have been part of the original cast. By 1994, this policy was relaxed, and Windsor accepted an offer to join EastEnders. She took over the role of Peggy Mitchell (who was previously a minor character played by Jo Warne in 1991). Peggy was the widowed mother of established key characters Phil and Grant Mitchell, and younger sister Samantha. For this role, she received the Best Actress award at the 1999 British Soap Awards, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 British Soap Awards. A debilitating case of the Epstein–Barr virus forced a two-year absence from the role between 2003 and 2005, although Windsor was able to make a two-episode guest appearance in 2004. She rejoined the cast full-time in the summer of 2005. In October 2009, Windsor announced she was to leave her role as Peggy Mitchell, saying she wanted to spend more time with her husband. On 10 September 2010, her character left Albert Square after a fire destroyed the Queen Victoria pub, of which she was the owner. In July 2013, it was announced that Windsor was to return for one episode, which aired on 20 September 2013. She again returned for a single episode on 25 September 2014, and made a further appearance for EastEnders 30th anniversary on 17 February 2015. In February 2015, Windsor, along with Pam St Clement (Pat Evans), took part in EastEnders: Back to Ours to celebrate 30 years of EastEnders. Windsor and St. Clement looked back on some of their characters' most dramatic moments. In November 2015, Windsor secretly filmed a return to EastEnders, which was shown in January 2016. After this, the character was confirmed to be killed off later in the year. This was Windsor's decision, as she said that she would always be open to a return to the show unless bosses decided to kill the character off. Her last appearance aired on BBC One on 17 May 2016. On 25 January 2022, by which time Windsor had died, an episode aired in which Peggy's son Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) hears his mother's voice giving him advice. The scene was made using archived audio from previous episodes.
Later life
Later life
• Illustration — Windsor in 2011 Windsor hosted two series of the BBC documentary Disaster Masters in 2005. She provided the voice of the Dormouse in Walt Disney's live-action adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (2010), directed by Tim Burton. Windsor starred in the pantomime Dick Whittington at the Bristol Hippodrome over the Christmas/New Year period of 2010/2011. In September 2010, it was announced that Windsor would be fronting a TV campaign for online bingo site Jackpotjoy as the Queen of Bingo. She appeared as herself in one episode of Come Fly with Me in January 2011. From 2011 onwards, she regularly did presenting work for BBC Radio 2 music and showbusiness history programmes, and also was a regular stand in for Elaine Paige on Elaine Paige on Sunday. She reprised her voice role of the Dormouse in the film Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016). In 2016, Windsor was invited to switch on the Blackpool Illuminations 57 years after her co-star in the film Too Hot to Handle, Jayne Mansfield, had performed the task during a break in filming. In May 2017, Windsor appeared in a cameo role as herself in BBC Television's biopic about her life, Babs, written by EastEnders scriptwriter Tony Jordan. It showed Windsor in the 1990s as she prepared to go on stage, and recalled events from her life, including her childhood, marriage to gangster Ronnie Knight, and her roles in the Carry On films.
Personal life
Personal life
Windsor was married three times, and had no children. She was married to: • Ronnie Knight, (married 2 March 1964, divorced January 1985) • Stephen Hollings, chef/restaurateur (married 12 April 1986 in Jamaica, divorced 1995) • Scott Mitchell, former actor and recruitment consultant (married 8 April 2000) Prior to her marriage to Knight, Windsor had a one-night stand with East End criminal Reggie Kray, and a longer relationship with his older brother Charlie Kray. During the time of making her later Carry On films, she had a well-publicised affair with her fellow actor and co-star Sid James, which lasted three years, until 1976. Windsor was initially uninterested in James, 24 years her senior, but later stated that she thought she would have sex with him once, and then he would leave her alone; however, James reportedly became obsessed with Windsor and suffocatingly possessive of her, to the extent that during the Carry On London! stage show, he shouted at Bernard Bresslaw because he had helped Windsor off the stage, the only reason being that Bresslaw had touched Windsor. James, who, like Windsor, was also already married, would send her a dozen red roses with a note attached with the words "Love Romeo", and even arranged to see her in Australia during her Carry On Barbara one-woman show, as he could not bear to be without her. He would also state his love for her in public and to Windsor's friends. After the relationship took its toll on her, Windsor ended it. Devastated by her decision, James became depressed and started to drink whisky; he died soon afterwards from a heart attack. Another of Windsor's Carry On co-stars, Kenneth Williams, accompanied Windsor and Knight on their honeymoon, also bringing his mother and sister with him. Windsor also dated Gary Crosby in the 1960s and had brief sexual encounters with Victor Mature, Anthony Newley, Ronnie Scott, James Booth, George Best and Maurice Gibb, the latter two while she was still married. In the late 1950s, Windsor became engaged to singer Cliff Lawrence, but he physically beat her. In her autobiography, All of Me, Windsor stated that she often turned up at Winston's, the club where she sang, with a black eye, and detailed one occasion when Lawrence dragged her down the street by her hair. Windsor ended the relationship, and then started dating Knight. Windsor said that Lawrence would spy on her and Knight from telephone boxes, only leaving them alone after Knight threatened him. In her autobiography, Windsor discussed her five abortions: three in her 20s, and the last at the age of 42. She said that she never wanted children as a result of her father rejecting her after her parents' divorce. Windsor was best friends with fellow actress Anna Karen, whom she met while filming Carry On Camping and who later went on to play Peggy Mitchell's sister Aunt Sal in EastEnders on and off for 20 years. Windsor was friends with Amy Winehouse, and in 2012 became a patron of the Amy Winehouse Foundation. In 2014, Windsor unveiled a statue of Winehouse in Camden Market. Since July 2023, her widower, has been in a relationship with her EastEnders co-star Tanya Franks, who played Rainie Cross.
Health problems
Health problems
• Illustration — Windsor speaking to then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street in 2019 In April 2014, Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She chose not to make news of the condition public, but it was known to her friends and colleagues. On 10 May 2018, Windsor's husband, Scott Mitchell, publicly revealed her condition. In January 2019, Mitchell and some of Windsor's former co-stars from EastEnders announced that they would be running the London Marathon in aid of a dementia campaign. Mitchell said that Windsor's health and mental state had been deteriorating, and she had moments when she no longer recognised him. On Windsor's 82nd birthday in August 2019, she and Mitchell became ambassadors for the Alzheimer's Society. On the same day, Mitchell and Windsor appeared in a video for the charity, in which Windsor said, "Unite with me, against dementia". Mitchell highlighted the problems many face with the disease, and urged viewers to sign a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying he "urgently needs to address these challenges." In August 2020, BBC News reported that Windsor had been moved into a care home in London.
Death
Death
Windsor died at Anita Dorfman House, a Jewish Care home in Stanmore, North West London, on 10 December 2020, aged 83. The next episode of EastEnders, broadcast on 11 December 2020, was dedicated to Windsor's memory. As well as this, the 2017 biopic Babs, which documented Windsor's life, was also broadcast. Among those who paid tributes to her were her EastEnders co-stars, entertainers, politicians including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Prime Minister David Cameron, Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer and members of the Royal family, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge – who described Windsor as "a true national treasure... a giant of the entertainment world" – and Charles, Prince of Wales with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Windsor's funeral took place on 8 January 2021. Her body was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. The service was attended by Anna Karen, Christopher Biggins, Ross Kemp, David Walliams and Matt Lucas, amongst others, although numbers were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Floral decorations on Windsor's coffin spelled out the words "The Dame", "Saucy" (Windsor's catchphrase in the Carry On films) and "The Queen Peggy". Windsor's funeral programme featured the famous photo of her in Carry On Camping, a photo that she joked "will follow me right to the end".
In popular culture
In popular culture
Windsor was played by Samantha Spiro in Terry Johnson's play Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick, which premiered at the National Theatre in 1998. Rachel Clarke took over the role of Windsor in the touring production of the play in 2001. Spiro reprised the role in the subsequent TV film adaptation, Cor, Blimey! (2000). The latter also featured a cameo appearance from Windsor, playing herself. In the 2006 BBC television film Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!, Windsor was again played by Rachel Clarke. Spiro reprised her role as Windsor in the TV biopic Babs in 2017, with Jaime Winstone and Honor Kneafsey playing younger versions of Windsor.
Scholastic
Scholastic
• Chancellor, visitor, governor, rector and fellowships • Location — Date — School — Position • England — 201510 December 2020 — Royal Central School of Speech and Drama — Honorary Fellow
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City
• England 4 August 2010: London.
Television
Television
• Years — Title — Role — Notes — Reference • 1954–1955 — Dreamer's Highway — Unknown — 2 episodes • 1961–1963 — The Rag Trade — Gloria — 15 episodes • 1962 — The Edgar Wallace Mystery Theatre — Babs Newton — Episode: "Death Trap" • A Christmas Night with the Stars — Gloria — The Rag Trade segment • 1963 — The Plane Makers — Marlene — Episode: "Any More for the Skylark?" • The Rag Trade — Judy — 8 episodes • 1964 — Comedy Playhouse — Cynthia Spooner — Episode: "The Hen House" • Two Plus Two — Louella — Episode: "A Funny Thing Happened To Me on My Way To the Altar" • 1965 — The Des O'Connor Show — Nurse — Episode: #2.1 • 1967 — Before the Fringe — Various — 2 episodes • 1968 — Dad's Army — Laura la Plaz — Episode: "Shooting Pains" • Ooh La La! — Chiquette/Giboulette — 2 episodes • 1968–1969 — Wild, Wild Women — Millie — All 7 episodes • 1969 — The Rolf Harris Show — Maid Marion — Episode #3.12 • Carry On Christmas — Various — TV film • 1970 — Comedy Playhouse — Polly — Episode: "Meter Maids" • Up Pompeii! — Nymphia — Episode: "Guess Who's Coming to Sin'Er Nymphia" • Carry On Christmas — Jim Hawkins — Christmas Special • 1972 — Carry On Christmas — Various • 1973 — Ooh La La! — The Shrimp — Episode: "The Lady from Maxims" • The Bob Monkhouse Offensive — Stripper — TV film • Carry On Christmas — Various — Christmas Special • The Punch Review — Various — Episode: #1.3 • Whodunnit? — Panelist — TV Game Show • 1975 — Carry On Laughing — Vera Basket — Episode: "The Prisoner of Spenda" • Marie — Episode: "The Baron Outlook" • Sarah — Episode: "The Sobbing Cavalier" • Lady Miranda — Episode: "Orgy and Bess" • Maisie — Episode: "The Nine Old Cobblers" • Lottie — Episode: "Who Needs Kitchener?" • Lady Mary — Episode: "Lamp-Posts of the Empire" • 1976 — The Mike Reid Show — Various — Episode: #1.0 • 1980 — Both Ends Meet — Doris White — TV pilot • Worzel Gummidge — Saucy Nancy — 4 episodes • 1983 — Carry On Laughing's Christmas Classics — Barbara Windsor — TV film • 1987 — Filthy Rich & Catflap — Mum — Episode #1.1 • Super Gran — Ethel — Episode: "Supergran and the Heir Apparent" • The Grand Knockout Tournament — Lady Knock of Alton — Television special • 1988 — The Nephew — Aunty Vicky — 3 episodes • Terry in Pantoland — Various — TV film • 1989 — Norbert Smith: A Life — Greenham Women's Leader • Bluebirds — Mabel Fletcher — 6 episodes • 1990 — Family Fortunes — Fairy — Episode: "Celebrity Christmas Special 2" • 1991 — You Rang, M'Lord? — Myrtle — 2 episodes • 1992 — Double Vision — Snow Queen Boss — TV film • 1993 — Frank Stubbs — Barbara Windsor — Episode: "Starlet" • The Great Bong — Mabel — Voice • 1994–2010 2013–2016 — EastEnders — Peggy Mitchell — Series regular, 1,671 episodes • 1995 — One Foot in the Grave — Millicent — Episode: "The Affair of the Hollow Lady" • 1999 — The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything — Highwayman Robbery Victim — TV film • 2000 — Cor, Blimey! — Barbara Windsor • 2001 — Second Star to the Left — Babs — Voice • 2006 — Doctor Who — Peggy Mitchell — Episode: "Army of Ghosts" • 2006 — Who Do You Think You Are? — Herself — Episode: "Barbara Windsor" • 2009 — Walk on the Wild Side — Mouse — Voice; Episode: #1.3 • 2011 — Little Crackers — Shop Assistant — Episode: "My First Brassiere" • Come Fly With Me — Barbara Windsor — Episode: #1.4 • 2015 — Children in Need — Star Wars sketch • |2016 — The Tube: Going Underground — Herself — Documentary • 2017 — Babs — TV film
Stage credits
Stage credits
Windsor later spoke positively about her early stage career, particularly her time with Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop, which she regarded as formative. Reflecting on the experience, she said that the company’s rigorous and improvisational methods helped her become “more in touch with her real self” as a performer, an approach she felt informed her later work across stage, film and television. Critics have noted that her stage work demonstrated a discipline and theatrical grounding that underpinned her later popular success, with one assessment describing her as a “mischievous and instinctive stage performer” whose early theatre training gave depth to her comic screen persona. • Year — Production — Role — Venue / Company — Ref • 1950 — Cinderella — Golders Green Hippodrome • 1952–1954 — Love from Judy — Sadie Kate — Saville Theatre, London • 1955 — Many Happy Returns — Watergate Theatre, London • 1955–1956 — Red Riding Hood — Shakespeare Theatre, Liverpool • 1958 — Keep Your Hair On — Marlene — Apollo Theatre, London • 1958 — The Gimmick — Gabby Burton — UK Tour • 1959–1962 — Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be — Rosie — Theatre Royal Stratford East / Garrick Theatre, London • 1964 — Oh, What a Lovely War! — Pierrot — Broadhurst Theatre, New York City • 1965 — Twang!! — Delphina — Shaftesbury Theatre, London • 1966–1967 — Come Spy with Me — Mavis Apple — Whitehall Theatre, London • 1967 — The Beggar's Opera — Alice Eagerly Lucy Lockit — Connaught Theatre, Worthing • 1968 — The Wind in the Sassafras Trees — Virginia — Belgrade Theatre, Coventry • 1970 — Sing a Rude Song — Marie Lloyd — Greenwich Theatre / Garrick Theatre, London • 1970–1971 — Cinderella — Theatre Royal, Norwich • 1971–1972 — Cinderella — Sister — Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool • 1972 — The Threepenny Opera — Lucy Brown — Prince of Wales Theatre / Piccadilly Theatre, London • 1972 — The Owl and the Pussycat — Doris — UK Tour • 1972–1973 — Cinderella — Odeon Theatre, Golders Green • 1973–1974 — Carry On London! — Various — Birmingham Hippodrome / Victoria Palace Theatre, London • 1975 — Carry On Barbara / A Merry Whiff of Windsor — Various — New Zealand, UK, South Africa Tours • 1975–1976 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Richmond Theatre • 1976 — Twelfth Night — Maria — Chichester Festival Theatre • 1976–1977 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Alhambra Theatre, Bradford • 1977–1978 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham • 1978–1979 — Dick Whittington — Dick Whittington — Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon • 1979 — Calamity Jane — Calamity Jane — UK Tour • 1979–1980 — Dick Whittington — Dick Whittington — Richmond Theatre • 1980–1981 — Jack and the Beanstalk — Jack — Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne • 1981 — Entertaining Mr Sloane — Kath — Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith • 1981 — The Mating Game — Julia — Grand Theatre, Blackpool • 1981–1982 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Theatre Royal, Nottingham • 1982 — The Mating Game — Julia — UK Tour • 1982–1983 — Aladdin — Aladdin — New Theatre, Oxford • 1983 — The Mating Game — Julia — Floral Hall, Scarborough • 1983–1984 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Festival Theatre, Chichester • 1984 — The Mating Game — Julia — Jersey Opera House • 1984–1985 — Dick Whittington — Dick Whittington — Orchard Theatre, Dartford • 1985 — What A Carry On At Butlins — Various — Butlins Holiday Camps • 1985–1986 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Theatre Royal, Nottingham • 1986–1987 — Dick Whittington — Beck Theatre, Hayes • 1987–1988 — Babes in the Wood — The Fairy — London Palladium • 1988 — Guys and Dolls — Miss Adelaide — UK Tour • 1988–1989 — Babes in the Wood — The Fairy — Churchill Theatre, Bromley • 1989 — The Mating Game — Julia — Pier Theatre, Bournemouth • 1989–1990 — Cinderella — Fairy Godmother — Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage • 1990–1991 — Cinderella — Fairy Godmother — Wimbledon Theatre, London • 1991 — Guys and Dolls — Miss Adelaide — UK Tour • 1991–1992 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Derngate Theatre, Northampton • 1992 — Wot a Carry on in Blackpool! — Various — North Pier Theatre, Blackpool • 1992–1993 — Cinderella — Fairy Godmother — Theatre Royal, Brighton • 1993 — Entertaining Mr Sloane — Kath — UK Tour • 1993–1994 — Aladdin — Aladdin — Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage • 1994–1995 — Aladdin — Fairy Godmother — The Anvil, Basingstoke • 1995–1996 — Cinderella — Fairy Godmother — Orchard Theatre, Dartford • 2010–2011 — Dick Whittington — Fairy Bowbells — Bristol Hippodrome
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
Barbara Windsor was recorded at birth as Barbara Ann Deeks. The authorities additionally record the headings Dame Barbara Windsor, Barbara Ann Windsor, Barbara Ann Knight, Barbara Windsor and Barbara Deeks. Her recorded language was English. She married Ronnie Knight and Scott Mitchell.
Identity
Identity
Barbara Windsor is recorded as having studied at Aida Foster Theatre School and Our Lady's Catholic High School. Recognition and collections. Windsor received Member of the Order of the British Empire, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, British Soap Award for Best Actress and British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1937
Barbara Windsor born at Shoreditch.
2020
Barbara Windsor died at London.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Shoreditch.
Birth place
London.
Death place
Film
• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Reference • 1954 — The Belles of St Trinian's — Schoolgirl — Uncredited • 1956 — Lost — Young Girl in Chemist • 1959 — Make Mine a Million — Switchboard Operator • 1960 — Too Hot to Handle — Ponytail • 1961 — Flame in the Streets — Girlfriend — Uncredited • On the Fiddle — Mavis • 1962 — Hair of the Dog — Elsie Grumble • Death Trap — Babs Newton • 1963 — Sparrows Can't Sing — Maggie • 1964 — Carry On Spying — Daphne Honeybutt • | Crooks in Cloisters — Bikini • 1965 — San Ferry Ann — Hiker Girl • A Study in Terror — Annie Chapman • 1967 — Carry On Doctor — Nurse Sandra May • 1968 — Chitty Chitty Bang Bang — Blonde • 1969 — Carry On Camping — Babs • Carry On Again Doctor — Goldie Locks • 1971 — Carry On Henry — Bettina • | The Boy Friend — Hortense • 1972 — Carry On Matron — Nurse Susan Ball • Carry On Abroad — Sadie Tomkins • 1973 — Not Now, Darling — Sue Lawson • | Carry On Girls — Hope Springs • 1974 — Carry On Dick — Harriet • 1977 — That's Carry On! — Barbara Windsor • 1986 — Comrades — Mrs Wetham • 1987 — It Couldn't Happen Here — Seaside landlady / Neil's mother • 1994 — Pussy in Boots — Wandawoman • 2001 — Second Star To The Left — Babs — Voice • 2010 — Alice in Wonderland — Mallymkun • 2016 — Alice Through the Looking Glass
Primary material
Documents and archives
scholarly publication
- Barbara Windsor: you’re more likely to hear a cockney accent in Essex than east London now, 2020
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2020
- Windsor [née Deeks; married names Knight, Hollins, Mitchell], Dame Barbara Ann [Babs] (1937–2020), actress, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2024
Scholarly · Crossref registry · 2024
reference work
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q449062: Barbara Windsor
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
- “Barbara Windsor”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Honours
Honours
Windsor was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2000 New Year Honours, and in the same year she was the first person to be inducted into the newly created BBC Hall of Fame. In August 2010 she was given the Freedom of the City of London, and in November 2010 she was honoured by the City of Westminster at a tree-planting and plaque ceremony. She was inducted into the Hackney Empire Walk of Fame on 25 May 2017. Windsor was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to charity and entertainment. In November 2014, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of East London.
Commonwealth honours
Commonwealth honours
• Country — Date — Appointment — Post-nominal letters • United Kingdom — 2000–2016 — Member of Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) — MBE • United Kingdom — 2016–10 December 2020 — Dame Commander of Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) — DBE
Honorary degrees
Honorary degrees
• Location — Date — School — Degree — Gave Commencement Address • England — 20 November 2014 — University of East London — Doctor of Arts (D.Arts) — Yes
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Rigney, Catriona. EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor needs 24/7 care as star's husband reveals her health has taken a rapid decline. OK!. 10 January 2019.
- 2.Dame Barbara Windsor: Carry On and EastEnders actress dies aged 83. BBC News. 11 December 2020.
- 3." Ten Things You Never Knew About Barbara Windsor" Digital Spy 23 May 2007
- 4."Career highlights: Barbara Windsor" The Telegraph 10 May 2016
- 5.Who Do You Think You Are? – Past Stories – Barbara Windsor , BBC. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- 6.Brooke, Mike. Barbara Windsor, Queen of the real East End, dies aged 83. East London Advertiser. 11 December 2020.
- 7.Dame Barbara Windsor obituary. The Guardian. 11 December 2020.
- 8.Career highlights: Barbara Windsor. The Daily Telegraph. 10 May 2016.
- 9.Barbara Windsor: Body of evidence. The Guardian. 15 March 1999.
- 10.It's Behind You. Spotlight on Barbara Windsor.
- 11.Billington, Michael. Barbara Windsor: a priceless and mischievous stage sensation. The Guardian. 11 December 2020.
- 12.Film British Actress in 1964. BAFTA Awards.
- 13.Hayward, Anthony. Jeremy Summers obituary. The Guardian. 26 December 2016.
- 14.Eleanor Bley, Griffiths. How accurate is BBC drama Babs? Everything you need to know about the real Dame Barbara Windsor. Radio Times. 11 December 2020.
- 15.Ruby, Jennifer. Barbara Windsor's career highlights: From Carry On to EastEnders. Evening Standard. 10 May 2018.
- 16.'Bubbly Babs' star of nine Carry On films. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 December 2020.
- 17.Ross, Robert. The Carry on companion. Batsford. 80. 2002. 978-0-7134-8771-8.
- 18.Carryon.org. Carry On London.
- 19.The Scotsman. Obituary: Dame Barbara Windsor, beloved actress famous for roles in Carry On films and EastEnders. 11 December 2020.
- 20.PaulFerris.org. Entertaining Mr. Sloane.
- 21.Hibbin, Sally and Nina Hibbin. What a Carry On: The Official Story of the Carry On Film series, Hamlyn, 1988. p. 43
- 22.Party like it's 1999 – Recalling the first British Soap Awards. What's on TV.
- 23.Actress Windsor Quits EastEnders. BBC News. 28 October 2009.
- 24.EastEnders' Peggy bowing out with explosive plot. BBC News. 9 September 2010.
- 25.Barbara Windsor in EastEnders 'special episode' return. BBC News. 9 July 2013.
- 26.EastEnders spoilers: Peggy Mitchell returns – "I hope it was a nice surprise," says Barbara Windsor. Radio Times. 25 September 2014.
- 27.BBC. BBC News Barbara Windsor to return for EastEnders 30th anniversary. 8 December 2014.
- 28.BBC. BBC Three – eastEnders:Back To Ours.
- 29.BBC. Dame Barbara Windsor to leave EastEnders for good. 16 January 2016.
- 30.Orton, Ben Travis, Daniel. Peggy Mitchell's finest EastEnders moments: the best slaps and scraps. www.standard.co.uk. 17 May 2016.
- 31.Ison, Rianne. EastEnders viewers fight back tears as Peggy Mitchell 'returns' to BBC soap. OK!. January 26, 2022.
- 32.Disaster Masters: Episode Guide. 2012.
- 33.New Alice in Wonderland images, BBC Newsbeat
- 34.Barbara Windsor signs on to panto. BBC News. 31 March 2010.
- 35.Barbara Windsor to Front Jackpotjoy Bingo TV Ad Campaign , jackpotjoy.com. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- 36.Belfast Telegraph. Barbara Windsor on Come Fly With Me. Belfasttelegraph.
- 37.Alice in Wonderland. E. 5 August 2014.
- 38.Dame Barbara turns on Blackpool lights. BBC News.
- 39.BBC. Barbara Windsor story set for BBC drama. BBC News. 26 May 2016.
- 40.Windsor, Barbara. All of Me: My Extraordinary Life. Headline Book Publishing. 2000. 978-0-7472-7007-2.
- 41.Mitchell, Scott. By Your Side: My Life Loving Barbara Windsor. Orion. 2022-10-13. 978-1-3996-0285-3.
- 42.Kray's deathbed secrets revealed" , The Guardian, 25 March 2001.
- 43.Stevens, Christopher. Born Brilliant: The Life of Kenneth Williams, John Murray Publishers, Hachette UK Company, London, 2010; .
- 44.Barbara Windsor: Body of evidence. The Guardian. 15 March 1999.
- 45."Barbara Windsor And Amy Winehouse Had A Secret Friendship" , Amy Winehouse official website. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- 46.Seddon, Dan. EastEnders star Tanya Franks dating Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell. Digital Spy. 14 July 2023.
- 47.EastEnders star Barbara Windsor diagnosed with Alzheimer's. BBC News. 10 May 2018.
- 48.EastEnders stars to run marathon for Dame Barbara Windsor. BBC News. 8 January 2019.
- 49.ITV. Dame Barbara Windsor's husband describes the heartbreaking moment when she didn't recognise him. 7 January 2019.
- 50.Barbara Windsor and Scott Mitchell become Alzheimer's Society Ambassadors. 8 August 2019.
- 51.Dame Barbara Windsor moves to care home. BBC News. 3 August 2020.
- 52.Dame Barbara Windsor: Beloved actress best known for her roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films dies aged 83. Sky News. 11 December 2020.
- 53.Dame Barbara Windsor: Carry On and EastEnders actress dies aged 83. BBC News. 11 December 2020.
- 54.Grant, Brigit. Dame Barbara Windsor's 'Carry On' Jewish Romance. Jewish News. 5 April 2023.
- 55.Houghton, Rianne. EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor to be celebrated with special BBC One schedule following her death. Digital Spy. 11 December 2020.
- 56.Dame Barbara Windsor dies: Tributes pour in for 'national treasure' and star of EastEnders and Carry On movies. Sky News. 11 December 2020.
- 57.Samhan, Jamie. Prince William, Prince Charles And More Pay Tribute To Dame Barbara Windsor After Her Death. Entertainment Tonight Canada. 12 December 2020.
- 58.Alexander, Susannah. EastEnders cast lead emotional tributes to Dame Barbara Windsor after she dies aged 83. Digital Spy. 11 December 2020.
- 59.Dame Barbara Windsor's funeral held with 'Queen Peggy' tribute. BBC News. 8 January 2021.
- 60.Nightingale, Benedict. Infamy, infamy! And how. The Times. 66314. 36. 23 September 1998. 0140-0460.
- 61.Edgeley, Emma. Newcastle-under-Lyme: Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick. The Stage. 14. 31 May 2001. 0038-9099.
- 62.Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!. Radio Times. June 2017.
- 63.Pavey, Harriet. Meet the cast of the BBC's Barbara Windsor biopic Babs. Radio Times. December 2020.
- 64.Smith, Rupert. A cheeky little vintage. The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. 8 May 2000.
- 65.Barbara Windsor given freedom of the City of London. BBC News. 4 August 2010.
- 66.Barbara Windsor completes the planting of new trees on Weymouth Street Marylebone Association web site, Thursday, 11 November 2010
- 67.Dame Barbara Windsor: Away from her roles on TV, the star's own life was just as colourful. Sky News.
- 68.Dalston, Loving. Take a walk on the fame side: Dame Barbara Windsor sets Hackney Empire on a new path. 25 May 2017.
- 69.61450. N8. 30 December 2015.
- 70.Government of the United Kingdom. New Year's Honours 2016. 30 December 2015.
- 71.Babbage, Rachel. Barbara Windsor: 'One day I'll say yes to EastEnders return'. Digital Spy. 20 November 2014.
- 72.Honorary Fellows & Honorary PhDs | The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. www.cssd.ac.uk.
- 73.Carry on at college for Dr Babs. BBC News.
- 74.University of East London. Barbara Windsor ahead of collecting her honorary degree. 11 October 2021.
- 75.punkrocksal. Barbara Windsor Receives Honorary Degree 20.11.14. 11 October 2021.
- 76.Barbara Windsor given freedom of the City of London. BBC News. 4 August 2010.
- 77.Whitmore, Greg. Barbara Windsor: a life in pictures. The Guardian. 11 December 2020.
- 78.Dame Barbara Windsor dies at 83. Chortle.co.uk. 11 December 2020.
- 79.Mayer, Geoff. Roy Ward Baker. Manchester University Press. 201. 2004. 978-0-7190-6354-1.
- 80.Barbara Windsor. British Film Institute.
- 81.Cloarec, Nicole. Social Class on British and American Screens: Essays on Cinema and Television. McFarland. 162. 15 March 2016. 978-1-4766-2312-2.
- 82.BBFC. Mike Reid – Pussy in Boots.
- 83.Second Star to the Left. TV Guide.
- 84.A Shroud of Thoughts. Godspeed Dame Barbara Windsor. 11 December 2020.
- 85.Chris Perry. The Kaleidoscope British Christmas Television Guide 1937–2013. Kaleidoscope Publishing. 129–135. 3 February 2016. 978-1900203609.
- 86.wymark.org.uk. Planemakers.
- 87.Comedy.co.uk. Barabra Windsor – British Comedy Guide.
- 88.BBC. Poh La La!:Above Reproach. 11 August 1969.
- 89.BBC. Poh La La!:Above Reproach. September 1969.
- 90.Shufflebotham, Bethan. Sir Tom Jones among the celebrities at the It's A Royal Knockout event at Alton Towers in 1987. The Sentinel. 25 March 2021.
- 91.BBC. BBC One London – 21 December 1988.
- 92.Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. BBC One London – 5 October 1989 – BBC Genome.
- 93.BBC. Comedy – You Rang, M'Lord?.
- 94.BBC. Second Star to the Left.
- 95.BBC America. Doctor Who:10 Things You May Not Know About Army of Ghosts.
- 96.Barbara Windsor on Come Fly With Me. Belfast Telegraph. 13 January 2011.
- 97.The Tube: Going Underground. My5.
- 98.Barbara Windsor obituary. The Guardian. 11 December 2020.
- 99.Barbara Windsor: a priceless and mischievous stage sensation. The Guardian. 11 December 2020.
- 100.From a collection of Theatre Programmes and handbills
- 101.Love from Judy – Original London Cast. Theatricalia.
- 102.Keep Your Hair On. Theatricalia.
- 103.Littlewood, Joan. Joan Littlewood's Theatre. Methuen. 1994. 9780413697205.
- 104.Goorney, Howard. The Theatre Workshop Story. Nick Hern Books. 1981. 9780906831116.
- 105.Sandbrook, Dominic. White Heat: A History of Britain in the Swinging Sixties. Abacus. 2007. 9780349117975.
- 106.Come Spy with Me – Production History. Theatricalia.
- 107.The Beggar's Opera. Theatricalia.
- 108.The Wind in the Sassafras Trees. Theatricalia.
- 109.Barbara Windsor obituary. The Guardian. 11 December 2020.
- 110.Billington, Michael. State of the Nation: British Theatre Since 1945. Faber & Faber. 2007. 9780571227951.
- 111.Carry On cast take revue to the stage. The Stage. 1973.
- 112.A Merry Whiff of Windsor. Theatricalia.
- 113.Twelfth Night. Theatricalia.
- 114.Calamity Jane. Theatricalia.
- 115.Review: Entertaining Mr Sloane. The Guardian. 1981.
- 116.Babes in the Wood. Theatricalia.
- 117.Guys and Dolls. Theatricalia.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
scholarly publication
Barbara Windsor: you’re more likely to hear a cockney accent in Essex than east London now, 2020Crossref registry
Institutional witnessscholarly publication
Windsor [née Deeks; married names Knight, Hollins, Mitchell], Dame Barbara Ann [Babs] (1937–2020), actress, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2024Crossref registry
Institutional witnessreference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
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