Ex-EastEnders star Barbara Windsor's new radio role
The much-loved Carry On star, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, has been back at work for a new radio role, and thanks fans for all their support.
Ex-EastEnders star Barbara Windsor is returning to the radio airwaves in her first major role since the news broke the much-loved star had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEcWaNwIEiI
Barbara presents the first episode of a new BBC Radio 2 series, Double Acts, which tells the stories of famous comedy duos, including Laurel and Hardy, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and Gert and Daisy. Barbara narrates an episode about US double act Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, who were big film and TV stars during the 40s and 50s.
"I remember watching Abbott and Costello in my teens and I absolutely love them," says Barbara, who recorded the episode a month before her husband Scott Mitchell confirmed the news of her Alzheimer's diagnosis. "So I'm happy to pay tribute to them as two of America's leading funny men."
Barbara has had the on-going support of family, fans and countless celebrity friends, including ex-EastEnders co-star Ross Kemp, since it was revealed she was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease back in 2014, a couple of years before she filmed her final scenes as Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell.
A few months ago, ITV's Loose Women panellist Jane Moore was brought to tears by a surprise pre-recorded message from Barbara, wishing the presenter a very happy birthday. In the message, Barbara also thanked everyone for all their love and best wishes:
Get the What to Watch Newsletter
The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!
“I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone for the lovely messages of support that I’ve been receiving, it really means such a lot to me, it truly does,” said Barbara. "Have a great day and have no fear, as I still intend to carry on. And God bless everyone.”
You can hear Barbara Windsor’s episode of Double Acts on Wednesday 25 July at 9:00pm on BBC Radio 2.
Simon has long been a fan of soap operas, and especially loves OVER-THE-TOP plots involving evil twins, hair-pulling catfights and natural disasters. Anyone remember the Sunset Beach earthquake/tidal wave? Or when Krystle Carrington got locked in the attic and replaced by look-a-like Rita in Dynasty?!
Simon has written for a variety of TV and childrens’ magazines/websites including Inside Soap, Nickelodeon, What’s On TV, Radio Times, Metro, Girl Talk, Disney Girl, Toxic! and Digital Spy. He has reported LIVE from the red carpet at The British Soap Awards interviewing glammed-up stars from soapland, and hosted a Facebook LIVE session for Metro with Home and Away legend Ray Meagher (Alf "Stone the flamin' crows!" Stewart) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aussie soap.
Simon is also co-author of The Treasures Of Coronation Street (Carlton Books)
And the writer and director of (very!) low budget fright flick, Midsummer Night's EVIL and the sequel webisodes series, The Hatchet Woods HORROR.