Over the years, EastEnders has become a staple in British television, captivating audiences with its compelling storylines and unforgettable characters.
From dramatic showdowns at the Queen Vic to heart-wrenching family sagas, the soap opera has been home to some of the most iconic moments in British TV history.
But as time marches on, fans have been forced to bid farewell to some of their favourites on Albert Square who have passed away.
READ MORE: EastEnders icon Natalie Cassidy’s life – tragic family loss to finding ‘soulmate’
Icons like Barbara Windsor, whose birthday it would have been today (August 6), played a pivotal role in EastEnders and Daily Star has remembered them here.
Barbara Windsor – Peggy Mitchell
(Image: BBC)
The year 2020 marked a heartbreaking loss as we said goodbye to the iconic Barbara Windsor, who died aged 83 after battling Alzheimer’s disease.
She played Peggy Mitchell, the formidable yet endearing Queen Vic pub landlady who showed us some famously savage slaps and coined the iconic phrase: “Get out of my pub!”.
Barbara’s time on EastEnders spanned two decades, making her debut in 1994 and leaving back in 2016.
Leslie Grantham – Dirty Den
(Image: BBC)
Leslie Grantham, the actor behind the infamous Dirty Den, passed away in 2018 from lung cancer.
The star was granted a second chance following a life sentence for murder in Germany in 1967, began his onscreen journey in the 1980s.
After a hiatus, he made a reappearance in 2003, continuing his role until his departure in 2015.
Sandy Ratcliff – Sue Osman
In 2019, we mourned the loss of Sandy Ratcliff, renowned for her role as Sue Osman in EastEnders.
One of the original 23 cast members in 1985, Sandy portrayed the lovable owner of Bridge Street Café from 1985 to 1989.
She died aged 70 after being diagnosed with cancer and suffering three strokes.
Wendy Richard – Pauline Fowler
We lost Wendy Richard in 2009 when she died of breast cancer at the age of 65.
Wendy portrayed the character Pauline Fowler, also one of the original cast, alongside Sandy Ratcliff.
Her remarkable portrayal of Pauline spanned nearly 22 years until her onscreen demise in 2006.
Anna Wing – Lou Beale
(Image: PA)
Anna Wing, a member of the original cast in 1985, portrayed the matriarch of the Beale family, Lou Beale.
At the age of 70, she began her memorable role in EastEnders, gracing the screens for a remarkable three years.
Anna Wing died in 2013 at the impressive age of 98, with Ian Beale star Adam Woodyatt attending her funeral in London.
Bill Treacher – Arthur Fowler
(Image: PA)
Bill Treacher died last year aged 92 after becoming the first person to be cast in the soap back in 1985.
The veteran actor played Arthur Fowler from 1985 until 1996 and died from Covid and pneumonia in hospital.
A statement from his family read at the time: “He was 92 years old and his health had been declining for some time.
“He was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie. Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed.”
He appeared in Eastenders until 1996 when his troubled character was in prison for a crime he did not commit.
Mona Hammond – Blossom Jackson
The trailblazing star played Blossom between 1994 and 1997 and then again in 2010 but is best known for her pioneering work co-founding the Talawa Theatre Company.
She passed away at the grand old age of 91 in 2018.
Monda was awarded the Women of the World lifetime achievement award for her theatre career and championing black British actors.
Hammond was born Mavis Chin in Jamaica to a Jamaican mother and Chinese father, and in 1961 was awarded a scholarship to Rada.
She graduated in 1964 having moved to the UK at the age of 28.
Ashvin Luximon – Asif Malik
(Image: BBC)
Ashvin Luximon, who played Asif Malik, sadly passed away in August last year at the young age of 38 after suffering an aneurysm.
Described as a “loving son, brother and friend”, his family said his death had “hit them all hard”.
Alongside Ashvin’s work in EastEnders, he also made appearances in Grange Hill and Hope and Glory.
He also starred in videos for British Airways, but was best known for playing Asif Mailk in the BBC soap from 1999 until 2003 and appeared in 146 episodes.
June Brown – Dot Cotton
(Image: BBC)
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EastEnders veteran June Brown, who played Dot Cotton, died at the age of 95, and she left behind a huge £1m fortune in her will
The Sun reports that prior to her death, June requested that her worth would be equally divided between her daughters and son.
The actress had been a fan-favourite in the BBC soap, first appearing in 1985 and becoming one of the soap’s longest-serving cast members.
Brown joined EastEnders as Dot Cotton – then Dot Branning – the year it began airing on the BBC, having been recommended for the role by Leslie Grantham, who played ‘Dirty’ Den Watts.
Dot was one of the show’s longest-running characters, though Brown took a break from the soap from 1993 until 1997.
Mike Reid – Frank Butcher
(Image: PA)
Stand-up comedian Mike Reid – who became a favourite with EastEnders fans as Frank Butcher – passed away on 29 July 2007 aged 67 from a suspected heart attack.
The character was first seen as a semi-regular in 1987 but eventually became a full-time member of the cast, becoming the landlord of the Queen Vic and being remembered for his long relationship with Pat (Pam St Clement) and short marriage to Peggy (Barbara Windsor).
Frank was eventually killed off off-screen, with a week of shows in 2008 dedicated to his death and funeral.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
