Barbara Windsor to return to Albert Square for EastEnders' 30th anniversary

(Image credit: BBC)

EastEnders icon Barbara Windsor is returning to the BBC One soap for one episode as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations in February.

One of the most legendary EastEnders landladies, Peggy Mitchell is the matriarch of the Mitchell family, one of EastEnders’ pre-eminent clans.

Speaking of her return, Barbara said "I am absolutely thrilled that Peggy has been included in the celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of EastEnders. What an incredible achievement for all the production, cast and crew, past and present."

EastEnders' executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins added: “Barbara and Peggy are intrinsically linked with EastEnders and when we planned our explosive anniversary episodes, Peggy was the first name on our list of hoped-for returns. Barbara has not only created one of EastEnders’ most iconic characters, but she’s also hugely loved and missed by everyone here. We couldn’t celebrate 30 years of EastEnders without Barbara Windsor."

 

Viewers last saw Peggy in September 2014 when she made a surprise return to the show from her villa in Portugal. Peggy was livid that Phil was going to marry Sharon and she made her thoughts very clear, sending Ronnie back to the Square with some very strong words for her son.

It's not clear whether Barbara will be returning for the special live episode which is going out as part of the 30th anniversary week, beginning on February 16.

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.