Barbara’s character, Peggy Mitchell, has endured more than her fair share of trials and tribulations since arriving in Albert Square in 1991.

Her sons, Phil (Steve McFadden) and Grant (Ross Kemp), have given her plenty of heartache with their violent antics, while daughter Sam (Kim Metcalfe) high-tailed it to South America to evade the law.

Peggy has also had to face a few personal trials, most notably being diagnosed with breast cancer, and her failed romances.

Her love life has included relationships with dodgy dealer George Palmer (Paul Moriarty) and second husband Frank Butcher (Mike Reid).

He famously cheated on her with his ex-spouse Pat (Pam St Clement).

Mum’s the word - March 05
Babs has been recruited to try and help persuade ’my boys’ back to BBC. The veteran actress plans a return to Eastenders in an attempt to boost ratings for the show and it is hoped that Steve McFadden and Ross Kemp will join her. While it would seem that McFadden is happy to return Kemp is proving a more difficult fish to catch, and the BBC have been forced to offer him a £1m package to lure him from ITV. But he’ll find it hard to say no now that Barbara has been asked to give him a push in the right direction - if he doesn’t come back it’ll be a clip round the lughole.

Barbara’s tears
Babs Windsor was reduced to tears when she returned to Eastenders. The actress was forced to quit the soap after contracting a nasty virus but made a short comeback in order that Peggy Mitchell could be at Sam’s wedding to Andy the rubbish gangster. Babs told press that her reunion with her cast mates was so emotional she was reduced to tears. "It was like being a new girl." Babs explained.

Come back Mitchells! - May 04
Steve McFadden, Barbara Windsor and even screen brother Ross Kemp are rumoured to be coming back to their Eastend roots...

It seems Eastenders bosses are going to reunite the Mitchell family, building up to a grand Mitchells vs The Watts later this year, prob one of the only things that saved Leslie Grantham from getting the boot. Steve and Babs are definitely returning, however Ross may not, although there is a cracking storyline there simmering, with Michelle having Grant’s baby without him knowing...

Meanwhile at the Watts, Letitia Dean is leaving in October, so let the battle commence soon!

Babs is back! - April 04
Barbara Windsor made a welcome return at this years Baftas.

Babs was forced to take a break from Eastenders last year after contracting Epstien Barr virus and has been away from our screens ever since. The actress looked stunning in an antique lace floor length gown, telling reporters that she was nervous about her comeback.

Windsor is expected to return to Eastenders early next year.

What does Barry think of Babs? -Jan 04
Barry may have taken his final tumble, but what were actor Shaun’s thoughts on Hackney lass Barbara Windsor?

Shaun Williamson is now free to say what he fancies, and he obviously thought a lot of Babs. ’Barbara Windsor was top-drawer from the start. I grew up with a crush on her from the Carry On films and we got on famously. She always had amazing energy for a woman in her 60s, so it’s tragic she’s got this disease that takes that away. I know she cancelled all her work and that’s serious for her. The final cruelty was hurting her ankle when she was just about to make her comeback.’