EastEnders landlord Danny Dyer has said his nerves kicked in when he had to welcome back a former boss of the Queen Vic – Barbara Windsor.
Barbara, who played landlady Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap, returned to Albert Square to film part of the show’s 30th anniversary celebrations and joined Danny, who plays Mick Carter, for one of his scenes.
Danny revealed: “I think EastEnders had some of its best moments when Barbara was at the helm. So It was a shame that when I came in, Barbara was no longer in the show.
Danny Dyer and Barbara Windsor face off in the Queen Vic (BBC)
“So when I was told Barbara was coming back for an episode and doing a scene with me it was just a real moment of like wow, wow it’s going to happen.”
He went on: “I think we were both a little bit nervous to be honest with you – I was a bit nervous obviously because Barbara was the matriarch.
“It’s an intimidating place to act in, The Vic, so we were both nervous together and I think that worked beautifully. She’s a beautiful lady and I think we both inspired each other in different ways.”
(BBC)
Danny added that he was relieved to find Barbara had given his character her seal of approval.
He said: “I’ve known Barbara for a little while, but not well. But she was lovely. She wound me up and said, ‘Oi you, I want a word with you!’ I was like, ‘Oh no, here we go,’ and then she wound me up and gave me a big cuddle.
“It was lovely to be around her, Barbara is a real force and a real presence and a massive EastEnders fan. She gave me the thumbs up which is a massive thing.”
The Carters (BBC)
The pair can be seen together when Peggy makes a visit to the Queen Vic on Tuesday, February 17 as part of EastEnders’ live anniversary week.
All episodes that week will feature live elements, with a wholly-live episode on Friday, February 20.
Other returning ex-Walford residents include Jo Joyner as Tanya Cross and John Partridge as Christian Clarke, with Hetti Bywater back for a flashback episode about her character Lucy Beale’s murder, before the killer is finally revealed.
