Steve McFadden leads tributes to Barbara Windsor after losing Alzheimer’s battle

Steve McFadden leads tributes to Barbara Windsor after losing Alzheimer’s battle

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Steve McFadden has led tributes to Dame Barbara Windsor, after she lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, aged 83.

The actor plays Dame Barbara’s on-screen son Phil Mitchell in EastEnders and his representative said that he was “devastated” by her death.

The Mitchells have been crucial to the BBC soap’s success and longevity and viewers were for years gripped by the drama surrounding the family.

Actress Danniella Westbrook, who played Barbara’s on-screen daughter Sam Mitchell on EastEnders, also shared her heartache, tweeting: ”MY HEART IS BROKEN .Bar you will always br in my heart forever. Good bye , I LOVE YOU XXX RIP Barbara WINDSOR.”

Patsy Palmer, who played Bianca Jackson on EastEnders, has shared a moving tribute to the soap legend on Instagram.

Alongside pictures of the pair together, as well as a photograph of a young Barbara, Palmer said: “I’m extremely sad to hear that my friend ‘Dame’ Babara Windsor has passed away . I’m sitting here thinking of the 100’s of memories we shared.”

Patsy continued: “Too many to comprehend. We were like family for a long time, ups downs, ins and outs but you will never meet a more professional actress than Babs.”

The 48-year-old actress also praised Dame Barbara’s husband, Scott Mitchell.

She wrote: “@scott.mitchell3 You were the best husband she could’ve wished for . You deserve the highest accolade. We shared such magical times together and I’ll cherish every one . I can hear that laugh now as I sit and think about her . I hope it’ll ring in my ears forever.

“She always looked out for me and so did you . Love you both very much . I’m gutted ! I could say so much but I’m so sad . RIP BABS.”

Tamzin Outhwaite, who played Mel Owen in EastEnders, tweeted: “Meant to be sleeping but can’t…. RIP Barbara Windsor… #legend #icon #nationaltreasure #friend #heroine”.

She added: “All I can hear is “Ello darlin” #ripbarbara”

Paul O’Grady led the showbiz world in paying an emotional tribute to his friend.

He said: “I’ve known Bar for over 30 years and I’m devastated, but people who’ve never met her will be gutted too. We’ve all grown up with her, the whole country has, and everyone felt they knew her.

“To call her a national treasure just doesn’t cover it. She was as familiar as the Queen’s face or a black London cab and a huge star of stage, TV and film, a real legend.

“She was the ultimate pro who never took anything for granted, she worked so hard, always knew her lines and turned up on time.

“We all loved her and she was just as much fun off screen as on. I think one of her qualities which endeared her in the Carry On films was she was little and cheeky with an infectious laugh.

“She would come out with innuendos, then giggled with real innocence.”

Paul said he last saw her earlier this year at her London home. He said: “I saw Bar and Scott in March and she was in good spirits, telling funny stories and roaring with laughter and reeking of her favourite Shalimar perfume.

“And that’s how I will remember her.”

He added: “My heart goes out to Scott. They were such a lovely couple, a real hoot, and he’s been utterly remarkable in the way he’s cared for her.

Jonathan Ross joined a host of stars from the world of entertainment in remembering the star.

He tweeted: “Barbara Windsor in real life was everything you might have hoped for. So warm, so funny, so kind. Goodnight sweetheart x #BarbaraWindsor”.

Doctor Who star John Barrowman, who was interviewed by Dame Barbara on BBC Radio 2 in October 2011, said in a video on Twitter that the star will be “sorely missed”.

“In the 30-odd years of my career I’ve had many, many occasions where I’ve been in company with Barbara – or, as everyone just called her, ‘Babs’ – and she will be sorely missed,” the British-American actor said.

“She was a small woman but feisty and she had the biggest, biggest heart in the business. And she was a genuine, lovely, warm, caring person and she will be sorely missed by the film, television, radio and theatre worlds.

“We all knew that she wasn’t in great health, but it’s still a shock when it comes.

“Rest in peace, Dame Barbara Windsor. You will be sorely missed.”

Comedian David Baddiel paid tribute on Twitter, saying: “RIP the very lovely, very funny Barbara Windsor. What a genuine national treasure she was.”

He added, referring to his partner, actor and writer Morwenna Banks: “Morwenna – who literally never says anything on social media – has asked me to add how sad she is too.”

Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn also remembered Dame Barbara on social media and in a tweet said she was a “lovely lady who was always such fun. R.I.P. Babs.”

Former Labour MP and broadcaster George Galloway tweeted: “Dame Barbara Windsor passing brings a dismal year to nearly a close. She was a national Treasure which is still something to be. May she rest in peace. #BarbaraWindsor”.

Dame Floella Benjamin and singer Aled Jones both remembered the star as a “national treasure” in tweets.

Irish singing duo Jedward tweeted a montage of Dame Barbara on EastEnders telling people to “get out of my pub” and the former X Factor stars said: “RIP you iconic legend Barbara Windsor”, adding a red heart.

Little Britain star Matt Lucas is the latest celebrity to pay tribute to Dame Barbara, saying “it’s not an overstatement to say I think the whole country is in mourning today”.

He wrote on Twitter: “You don’t become a Dame by accident. Everyone knew Barbara Windsor and everyone loved her.

“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.”