Television and film icon Barbara Windsor bids farewell

Britain's favourite pub landlady, Barbara Windsor MBE bids farewell

Barbara Windsor is set to wave goodbye to Albert Square as Peggy Mitchell in 2010.

East End matriarch, Peggy, has been Queen of the Vic for most of Barbara's 15 years on the show and "Get outta my pub!" is probably one of the most memorable lines from the show.

Barbara first appeared in EastEnders in 1994 and is now considered by many to be a British national institution. Our favourite landlady rules the Mitchells with an iron fist and a heart of gold.

Peggy has been central to numerous high-profile storylines, including a battle with breast cancer, failed marriages to Frank Butcher and Archie Mitchell, being reunited with her daughter, Sam, amongst other business and family crisis.

Barbara was awarded an MBE in 1999 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards in May 2009.

Barbara says of her departure: "EastEnders has been wonderful to me and it's no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago. I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind - she's such a wonderful character to play.

I have had the pleasure of working with a marvellous cast and crew and have made many lasting good friends. To have had the honour of showing the Queen around the set is something that will stay with me forever. I would like to thank the BBC for the incredible opportunity they gave me and above all, I must thank the wonderful viewers for their support over the years.

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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