Former EastEnders star June Brown starred alongside Dame Barbara Windsor for many years on the soap and became firm friends with the actress.
Today June, who played Dot Cotton in the soap, paid an emotional tribute to Barbara, following her death on Thursday at a care home after battling dementia.
In a statement, the actress, 93, revealed the heartbreaking details of her last phone call with the star, who played Peggy Mitchell in Walford between 1994 and 2016.
June, who left the soap earlier this year, said: “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.”
Barbara and her husband Scott Mitchell campaigned for better help for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
June also sent well wishes to Scott and praised the pair for the work they did for sufferers of the cruel condition.
Former EastEnders star June Brown starred alongside Dame Barbara Windsor for many years on the soap (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
She said: “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 also explained how she talked regularly on the phone with Barbara after she left Albert Square in 2016, and embraced her the last time they met a year ago.
June Brown also recalled her time on the soap with Barbara and the great friendship they had.
Barbara and June accept Eastenders’ award for Best British Soap at the ‘The British Soap Awards’ in 2008
She said: “I’m thinking of Babs as she was when she came into 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 left EastEnders earlier this year (Image: BBC)
A host of EastEnders stars also paid tribute to Dame Barbara including Ross Kemp and Adam Woodyatt who played Ian Beale alongside Babs in EastEnders
He 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.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
