Jaime Winstone says she felt the ghost of Barbara Windsor was with her as she played a younger version of Peggy Mitchell.
The 37-year-old appears as the Queen Vic landlady tomorrow night in a flashback episode of EastEnders.
Jaime said: “There were moments when we were shooting this when I felt her presence and I felt guided by her.”
READ MORE: EastEnders first-look as huge Mitchell secret ‘exposed’ in special episode with new cast
She added: “I hope I’ve done her justice – I feel like I have. I think she would love it.”
Jaime met Barbara when she played her in BBC biopic Babs five years ago. And she revealed the much-loved actress gave her full support.
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
She said: “It’s so nerve-racking when you’re playing someone and they’re watching you, but Barbara was so generous on Babs and so inspiring. She’d say things like, ‘Oh, you’re more me than me,’ or, ‘Darling, you’ve got it!’”
Barbara was 83 when she died two years ago after battling dementia.
Jaime, daughter of actor Ray Winstone, plays her most famous character in scenes set in 1979. She said: “When I got offered the part I did think, ‘Is this something I should do?’ So I had a little word with Barbara, up above, and felt like I got the go-ahead.”
(Image: BBC)
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She added: “There was a little blonde butterfly that kept coming into my garden.
“We don’t normally get butterflies because my dog goes for them, but that was my sign. I thought, ‘That’s her’.”
EastEnders is on BBC One tomorrow at 7.30pm.
The special episode is a flashback instalment centred around the Mitchell family, which will unveil their past and mark the beginning of a tumultuous journey for Peggy’s son, Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).
Characters including Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell are set to return, and Daniel Delaney as Phil, Teddy Jay as Grant, Henry Garrett as Archie, Rose Reynolds as Glenda and George Greenland as Billy.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
