UK PRIME minister Boris Johnson has led the tributes to Barbara Windsor following the screen icon’s sad passing at the age of 83.
Windsor, who was best known for her work on the Carry On films as well as for playing Peggy Mitchell on the BBC soap EastEnders, died at a care home in London this past Thursday following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Her death sparked an outpouring of emotion from the world of TV, film and beyond with Johnson leading the tributes by recalling how Windsor “cheered the world up with her own British brand of harmless sauciness”.
The UK Prime Minister wrote on Twitter: "So sad about Barbara Windsor, so much more than a great pub landlady & Carry On star.
“She campaigned for the lonely and the vulnerable - and cheered the world up with her own British brand of harmless sauciness & innocent scandal. Thoughts with Scott and all her family & friends.”
So sad about Barbara Windsor, so much more than a great pub landlady & Carry On star. She campaigned for the lonely and the vulnerable - and cheered the world up with her own British brand of harmless sauciness & innocent scandal. Thoughts with Scott and all her family & friends.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 11, 2020
His sentiments were echoed by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who described Windsor as a “national treasure”.
“Her acting brought a smile to people across Britain and she showed incredible courage after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s," Starmer said on Twitter.
“The country’s thoughts are with Scott and the family.”
Comedian David Walliams paid Windsor the highest tribute, describing her as the "unofficial Queen of England” and “an icon treasured by the nation".
He wrote: “Goodbye Dame Babs. You were my first love as a child in the Carry On films & I will love you forever. Working with you, spending time with you & being your friend was one of the greatest thrills of my life. The unofficial Queen of England, an icon treasured by the nation.”
‘Goodbye Dame Babs. You were my first love as a child in the Carry On films & I will love you forever. Working with you, spending time with you & being your friend was one of the greatest thrills of my life. The unofficial Queen of England, an icon treasured by the nation.’ David pic.twitter.com/Jj3cMITlFq
— David Walliams HQ (@davidwalliams) December 11, 2020
His former Little Britain co-star and current Great British Bake-Off host Matt Lucas also paid his respects in heartfelt styel.
"You don't become a Dame by accident. Everyone knew Barbara Windsor and everyone loved her,” he wrote.
"She delighted us on stage and sparkled on screen in a long and illustrious career. She also worked tirelessly for charity, and continued to do so, even when her own health was failing her.
"Her devoted husband Scott has been utterly selfless and heroic in caring for her and I am devastated for him.
"I will miss her warmth, her generosity, her laughter and the kindness she showed me. She was a remarkable woman and it's not an overstatement to say I think the whole country is in mourning today."
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) December 11, 2020
TV presenter Jonathan Ross also paid tribute to the pint-sized star tweeting: "Barbara Windsor in real life was everything you might have hoped for. So warm, so funny, so kind. Goodnight sweetheart x."
Fellow TV host Gaby Roslin also tweeted: "I am lost for words. Barbara I adored you. You were a dear, sweet, effervescent, bubbly, glorious woman who I am proud to have called a friend. My love to Scott. So so so sad."
