[Arneldo]

EastEnders icon Barbara Windsor is to leave the BBC soap next year, it has been announced.

The 72-year-old, who has played Walford's iconic landlady Peggy Mitchell since 1994, is to leave the show after 15 years in the role.

Details as to her exit storyline have yet to emerge and producers are keeping tight-lipped over the plot.

Speaking of her decision, she said:"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."

She continued: "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."

Executive producer Diederick Santer said of the announcement: "Barbara has contributed so much to EastEnders over the last 15 years, plus countless episodes, and countless amazing storylines. Peggy Mitchell is a truly iconic character, and along with Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp, Barbara has made the Mitchells the premier 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. All of us at EastEnders - and our audience - are going to miss her hugely."

BBC's controller of drama John Yorke added: "To most of the British public, Barbara IS EastEnders and it's almost impossible to imagine Albert Square without her. For 15 years she's given her heart and soul to EastEnders - she's been a consummate professional, a national treasure and a joy to work alongside. We will all miss her hugely - both as a character, and as a friend."

At Christmas, Windsor's on screen husband Larry Lamb (Archie Mitchell) makes his screen exit from the soap in a dramatic festive plot.

Earlier this year, Windsor was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement trophy at the British Soap Awards.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2...astenders.html

[Stephanie]

omg.

[CaraRawr]

omg

[Ninastar]

Omg!!!!!!

[Stacey.]

ohh

[Lewis.]

Whaaaaaaaa.

[Enid]

Ah shame. Babs was always great.

[Stephanie]

get outta my pub.

[arista]

[Callum]

Sad.

[Patrick]

No!

She gets on my nerves with her "Family this and that" **** but she cant leave!

Whats next? Steve McFadden leaving?

Ronnie should just leave I hate her the sour face bitch.

If Peggy does leave for good I hope shes killed off.. it would be so much more entertaining!

Seeing as shes leaving forever anyway

[Jessica.]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/news...20091027.shtml

[Scarlett.]

A Mitchell leaving EastEnders!? Whats the world coming to!

[Jords]

Will be one hell of an episode - espicially if shes killed off.

[bettiepage]

Lol, trust this forum to have an emotional breakdown with an old witch leaving a shitty soap

[Shaun]

[Loukas]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Al!!!!! omfg! *googles Episodes of Married With Children!*

I hope she goes out with a bang