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EastEnders legend June Brown has given an emotional tribute to Barbara Windsor and told how she wanted to meet up with her again near the end of her life.
The pair embraced the last time they met a year ago and stayed in regular phone contact even years after Dame Barbara left Albert Square.
June, 93, spoke the day after it was announced that Dame Barbara died at a London care home after suffering from dementia.
June Brown, known for playing Dot Cotton on EastEnders, recalled her time on the soap with Dame Barbara.
She said in a statement: “I’m thinking of Babs as she was when she came in to EastEnders as Peggy Mitchell – tiny, bright, bubbly, pretty and friendly to everyone. She soon became loved by all the cast.
“We became great friends. We had adjoining dressing room and she was always popping in for coffee, and we’d go to lunch together; she kept me up to date with all the gossip. I wished we’d had more scenes together but our only one was in her last episode, when Dot said goodbye to Peggy, knowing that she was dying.”
June said the pair talked regularly on the phone following Dame Barbara’s departure from the soap.
She added: “In our last phone call she asked me several times where I was – I finally said ‘I’m at home’ and her comment was ‘I’d like to come to your home’, but it was too late for that.
“At this time, I’m thinking of her very loving husband Scott, who has created a legacy for her by training to run marathons in her name, owing to her great popularity, to raise an enormous amount of money in aid of the charity Dementia Revolution.
“They had such a happy marriage; they were like two children, always laughing together. While I’m still here, she’ll always be alive in my mind.”
June was one of a host of EastEnders stars to pay tribute to Dame Barbara.
Adam Woodyatt who played Ian Beale alongside Babs in EastEnders said: “I grew up watching ‘Babs’ in the Carry On films and for me to then work with her was a privilege and honour.
“I have so many happy memories and moments that I will always cherish, even when Peggy floored Ian with a punch.
“My thoughts are with her amazing husband Scott, her family and friends. Rest in peace Barbara.”