Poison Dwarf to tread the boards

[alan45]

Barbara Windsor has revealed that she is planning to concentrate on West End roles after she leaves EastEnders later this year.

The actress, who is bowing out from her part as Walford's Peggy Mitchell, has already appeared in a number of theatre productions over the years, including Calamity Jane, Oh What A Lovely War! and The Threepenny Opera.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Windsor explained: "The last thing I did, in fact, before I got EastEnders was Entertaining Mr Sloane. It would be nice to do something new because that is what we want - new plays."

The 72-year-old added that she has already been approached with a number of possible stage roles since announcing her decision to quit Albert Square.

She commented: "I didn't expect it, but I was really chuffed. I thought, 'This ageing sex symbol…?' It will be 60 years this year that I will have been in the business and I love [it] as much as when I first went in, and the offers are still coming."

[Dazzle]

I hope Babs does very well, although I'd like her back in EE at some point.

[tammyy2j]

When i read the thread title i thought it was this board :o

[Siobhan]

When i read the thread title i thought it was this board :o

I thought the same :lol:

[alan45]

When i read the thread title i thought it was this board :o


I thought the same :lol:

I think she would feel more at home on the EE fan club aka Digital ********

If she came on here I feel I would have to terminate my membership

[Chloe O'brien]

Nonsence Alan. I can see you two getting on like a house on fire. There is a fine line between love and hate.

[alan45]

Nonsence Alan. I can see you two getting on like a house on fire. There is a fine line between love and hate.
Yes and I just love to hate Peggy Mitchell

[alan45]

ALBERT Square legend Barbara Windsor wants to turn EastEnders into WestEnders.
The retiring star is trying to persuade BBC bosses to stage a musical production of the soap to rival Coronation Street's new theatre show.

And Barbara - who began her illustrious acting career treading the boards - has put herself forward for a role.

The former Carry On star leaves our screens later this year after playing Queen Vic battleaxe Peggy Mitchell on and off since 1994.

She is now lobbying for a sing-along show, after hearing of Corrie's 50th anniversary plans for a stage production starring Becky McDonald actress Katherine Kelly.

It would mean loyal Peggy Mitchell fans would still be able to get their Babs fix.

Barbara, below - who kept up her stage career in between her Carry On and EastEnders stints - said the musical could be similar to Fings Ain't Wot They Used To Be, a Cockney musical about East End lowlifes she starred in back in the 1960s.

She said: "It was a musical I did for Lionel Bart for 2½ years.

"We could base it on a little bit of that."

But the veteran actress isn't angling for the lead role in any EastEnders production - as she reckons it's someone else's turn to shoulder the responsibility.

National treasure Babs told TV Biz: "I wouldn't like to be the star of the musical. I would want to be second lead, leave it to someone else to take all the c**p!"



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2904794/EastEnders-legend-Barbara-Windsor-wants-to-turn-soap-into-musical.html#ixzz0j3IlI7Hx

[alan45]

EastEnders star Barbara Windsor has announced that she is to appear in a Bristol pantomime at Christmas.

The 72-year-old actress will play the part of Fairy Bowbells in a production of Dick Whittington at the city's Hippodrome theatre.

Windsor's panto role is her first confirmed project since she revealed that she is to bow out as Albert Square's Peggy Mitchell later this year.

Speaking to the Bristol Evening Post, Windsor commented: "I am thrilled to be returning to the stage in this year's production of Dick Whittington in Bristol.

"I have made no secret of the fact that I have been bursting to perform in pantomime again and the Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre I have always longed to play. This show will take me into my 60th year in showbusiness and I can't think of a better way to celebrate it."

Dick Whittington will run at the Hippodrome from Saturday, December 11 until Sunday, January 9.

[Siobhan]

ah so when she said "tread the boards" she really meant pantomime..

[Chloe O'brien]

Let's all save up and go to Bristol at Christmas and throw rotten fruit at her. :lol:

[Siobhan]

Let's all save up and go to Bristol at Christmas and throw rotten fruit at her. :lol:

Fruit?? I was going to bring rocks

[alan45]

I think pantomime is a step too far for Ms Windsors acting abilities.

[Chloe O'brien]

Alan I think you would make an excelllent pantomine baddie. You could sneak up behind her with an iron bar and we could yell "He's behind you"

[alan45]

Alan I think you would make an excelllent pantomine baddie. You could sneak up behind her with an iron bar and we could yell "He's behind you"

Bet you wouldnt tell her until after I had hit her over the head

[Chloe O'brien]

Your right I wouldn't. I've just had a funny vision of you wacking her an us SB family laughing our ar$es off

[alan45]

Barbara Windsor has vowed to continue enjoying EastEnders as a viewer after she leaves the soap.

The actress will make her final appearance as Walford matriarch Peggy Mitchell later this year after deciding to bow out of the iconic role.

Discussing how it will feel to watch the show after her departure, Windsor told BBC News: "I sincerely hope I'm sitting there and saying 'Why aren't I in that?'."

She continued: "I want to sit there and cheer it on."

The 72-year-old was speaking at last night's BAFTA TV Awards, where she led the EastEnders cast as they accepted the 'Continuing Drama' prize for the first time in four years.

Windsor recently confirmed that she is planning to concentrate on West End roles after making her Albert Square exit.

[alan45]

BARBARA Windsor admits she may regret quitting as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders.

The star, 72 - leaving this year - joked: "I sincerely hope I'm sitting there saying, 'Oh *******, why aren't I in that?' I love this show."

Lacey Turner, 22, who is quitting her role as Stacey Branning this year, said: "I hope they ring and say 'come back'."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/3003623/Getting-Mitched-Ronnie.html#ixzz0qF4BprMl

[alan45]

WARNING !!!!!!!!!Please do not open the spoiler if you are of a nervous disposition


http://holysoapcdn.five.tv/assets/images/18831/20101126T174150_Five_Soaps_News_1-1_1290793313_large.jpg?1290794408


After 16 years as Peggy Mitchell Barbara Windsor was very close to the cast and crew of EastEnders, and she has been missing them.

But starring in Bristol panto Dick Whittington has helped her move on, as she is having just as much fun as she used to on the set of Albert Square.

Babs revealed: "We started rehearsal on Monday and it was great that camaraderie. That's the only thing I've missed since I left EastEnders is that camaraderie."

The 73-year-old actress, who made her stage debut in panto aged 13, revealed she is loving being back in theatre.

Babs said: "I'm playing Fairy Babs Bowbells in Dick Whittington in Bristol, which I'm really knocked out about because I've done a lot of theatre, contrary to what people think. They think of Carry On and EastEnders, but I've done a lot theatre and it's the one theatre I've never played."

She said she's like an "excited little girl" getting ready for rehearsals and can't wait for the run to begin.

Babs said: "I'm nervous but a very excited nervous. I'm like a little girl - it's the first thing I think of when I wake up and it's the last thing I think of at night."

Barbara will be starring in Dick Whittington at the Bristol Hippodrome, sponsored by Robinsons, from December 11 to January 9.

Tickets are on sale now via www.poisondwarfisapantoqueen.co.uk

[Chloe O'brien]

Have you an autographed copy :lol:

[parkerman]

How about organising a Soapboards outing, alan? We could make it a night out!

[alan45]

How about organising a Soapboards outing, alan? We could make it a night out!


Oh yes we could

[parkerman]

Oh no we can't.

[alan45]

Look out she's behind you!!!!!

[Siobhan]

Look out she's behind you!!!!!

That is enough to give me nightmares

[alan45]

EASTENDERS veteran Barbara Windsor has admitted shes struggling to cope with her retirement from the hit BBC1 soap.

Babs, 73 who for 16 years played landlady Peggy Mitchell said: Being at home is driving me mad.

Husband Scott Mitchell, 47, has even suggested she should sign up for the new Five series of Celebrity Big Brother. Carry On star Babs added: When I was working I was up early and filming all day and I knew where I was.

Now I'm so disorganised. I wake up next to Scott and say, Where is this and where is that? and my diary is all over the place.

Someone suggested I open a bar, but no way.

Babs now hosts a Radio 2 show and aims to do more to help pensioners after talks with PM David Cameron.

[parkerman]

There's only one answer. She'll have to make a come back to Eastenders.....

[Chloe O'brien]

This her subtle way of begging EE to bring her back. I'll give it to Tuesday to Steve McFadden to make a comment about bringing back Peggy and or Grunt as well.