Barbara Windsor’s funeral took place today (January 8), with her lifelong friends such as Ross Kemp, Christopher Biggins, and more arriving to attend.
The EastEnders icon and Carry On legend died in December at the age of 83 following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s, leaving the nation heartbroken.
She was cremated at a private ceremony at Golders Green Crematorium in London with only 30 guests attending amid the coronavirus pandemics restrictions on gathering.
Her husband Scott Mitchell, whom she wed in 2000 and was by her side until her death, led the funeral procession.
Other stars in attendance included Kemp, comedians Matt Lucas and David Walliams, and EastEnders stars Jamie Borthwick and Dean Gaffney.
Dame Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott pictured in happier times (Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
In-keeping with Dame Babs’ charisma and charm, the hearse was filled with blossoming pink and white flowers, spelling out the words “saucy”, “Dame” and “Babs”.
Scott arrived in the first funeral car, ahead of a car containing his mother Rita Mitchell, who originally introduced the smitten couple.
The remainder of his Covid bubble, made up of his sister Marsha and his brother-in-law Laurence, followed shortly behind.
Barbara’s husband Scott led the funeral procession (Image: Getty Images)
Pantomime star Christopher Biggins was the first to arrive at the venue, wearing a long black coat and scarf, obscuring his face with a black mask.
Comedians David Walliams and Matt Lucas, of Little Britain fame, were also sighted outside the redbrick building.
Walliams appeared to wipe away a tear with one gloved hand as he moved to join the other mourners.
The hearse arrived later, with a funeral procession moving behind the vehicle.
The word “saucy” was spelled out on one side of the car (Image: Steve Reigate)
Flowers were arranged on top of the hearse, as the mourners quietly paid their respects to the star.
Lined up next to the coffin, a flower arrangement spelled out the word “saucy” in a tribute to one of the actress’ most cherished roles.
The “‘saucy” referred to when Windsor played Saucy Nancy back in the early 1980s, starring in the original Worzel Gummidge.
The word “Dame” could be read on the other side of the coffin, decoratively displayed in a flower feature.
Outside the crematorium, actor Ross could be seen lining up with the mourners, wearing a dark suit and a face mask.
David Walliams appeared to wipe away a tear before the service began (Image: PA)
Kemp, who played Barbara’s son in EastEnders, was expected to read her eulogy today, Biggins shared.
Fellow EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, who plays Jay Brown on the BBC One soap, could be seen by his side, his hands folded as they looked to the crematorium.
Former EastEnders star Dean Gaffney, who left the soap as Robbie Jackson last year, was also seen paying his respects.
Ross Kemp could be seen paying his respects outside the crematorium (Image: Getty Images)
As her coffin was led into the building, Frank Sinatra’s On The Sunny Side of the Street was played in her honour.
Her husband Scott led the procession, with the vicar wrapping his arm around the grieving husband as they moved into the church.
During the service, two hymns, Jerusalem and The Lord’s My Shepherd, played before the crowd.
The hearse had been decorated with flowers (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
Anthony Newley’s You Made Me Love You marked the halfway point of the moving ceremony.
In the final moments of the ceremony, Babs’ own song, Sparrows Can’t Sing echoed through the building.
Tragically, Barbara was diagnosed with dementia back in 2014 and her husband Scott Mitchell first spoke publicly about the battle in 2018.
Barbara’s coffin was strewn with an array of pink and white flowers (Image: PA)
Speaking about the funeral in December on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Biggins said: “I’m very honoured because you can only have 30 people at the funeral and I am one of the speakers.
“Anna Karen is speaking about her early life, I’m speaking about the middle part of her life, and Ross [Kemp] form EastEnders is talking about that part of her life.
“It will be very, very sad. I wish there was a way that we could record it so people can watch it online.”
Her dear friend Christopher Biggins was due to read a piece during the ceremony (Image: Getty Images)
Since Dame Barbara’s death, donations to Alzheimer’s Research UK have surged, shedding light on the important cause.
The JustGiving page set up as a tribute to Dame Barbara and in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK has raised more than £145,000.
Wonderfully, the sum has reached more than £150,000 with Gift Aid, and people have the option of donating flowers to celebrate the late star.
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/DameBarbara.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
