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Remembering Barbara Windsor: Ross Kemp Shares Fond Memories of EastEnders Legend
As the fifth anniversary of her death approaches, **EastEnders** icon Barbara Windsor is being affectionately remembered by her former colleague Ross Kemp. Kemp, known for portraying her on-screen son Grant Mitchell in the beloved soap opera, recently reflected on his off-screen relationship with the late actress, describing her as a “close friend”. This heartfelt remembrance highlights Windsor’s enduring legacy both on and off screen, particularly her impact as Peggy Mitchell in **EastEnders** and her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ross Kemp’s Heartfelt Tribute
In a recent interview, Kemp, aged 60, fondly recalled Windsor, best known for her role as Peggy Mitchell in **EastEnders**, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 83. He stated, “She was a truly remarkable woman. With the five-year milestone of her death approaching, it is clear she remains an unforgettable force of nature, even in her final days. Barbara was not only humorous and articulate, but also remarkably witty and exceptionally professional. Above all, she was a dear friend.”
Kemp, famed for his portrayal of Grant Mitchell, further disclosed that he has maintained a close bond with Windsor’s family, including her husband Scott. “We shared a deep connection,” Kemp explained. “We were very close friends, and I remain good friends with her widower, Scott. Barbara Windsor was a true legend.”
Barbara Windsor’s Battle with Alzheimer’s
Windsor received an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in 2014 and became a passionate advocate for enhanced dementia care prior to her death. In a storyline reflecting her health challenges, her iconic **EastEnders** character, Peggy Mitchell, was written out of the series a year following her diagnosis, in a poignant plotline where Peggy took her own life.
First Signs of Illness
Scott, Windsor’s husband whom she married in 2000, revealed the initial indications of the beloved soap star’s declining health emerged when she experienced moments of disorientation and memory lapses while filming **EastEnders**. In a moving interview, Scott recounted the distressing early symptoms: “Barbara returned home one day and confessed, ‘I don’t know what’s happened, I just went completely blank.’ She explained, ‘Not only could I not recall my lines, but I was also completely disoriented, unsure of my purpose or location.’ These unsettling episodes, according to Scott, occurred approximately three years prior to her official diagnosis.”