Former soap boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has hailed Barbara Windsor as the ‘best executive producer EastEnders never had’ over her no-nonsense attitude behind the camera.
The TV icon, who played Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap, sadly died earlier this month aged 83 after losing her battle with Alzheimer’s.
And reflecting on her time on the show, Dominic praised Barbara for keeping everyone in check and laying down the law for both cast and crew alike behind-the-scenes.
Iconic: Former soap boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has hailed Barbara Windsor as the ‘best executive producer EastEnders never had’ over her no-nonsense attitude behind the camera
Dominic, 43, who served as executive producer between 2013-2016, praised Barbara for being aware of the show’s audience and for keeping her cast mates in line no matter their age.
He told the Radio Times: ‘Barbara was the best executive producer EastEnders never had. She was so sharp, she knew the audience, and kept actors young and old in check.’
The producer also noted one particular moment when Barbara forced co-star June Brown, 93, who played Dot Cotton, to apologise after she branded the storyline ‘s**t’.
Sadly missed: The TV icon, who played Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap, sadly died earlier this month aged 83 after losing her battle with Alzheimer’s
He recalled: ‘Once, June Brown shouted at us from her dressing room window, “Your storylines are s**t.” Barbara grabbed her, brought her upstairs and told her to apologise.’
The screen legend also ticked off actresses Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, who played her screen nieces Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, for not wearing heels behind the bar of the Queen Vic.
Barbara, who was 4ft 10in, argued that viewers would be able to tell the difference if they were wearing their preferred Ugg boots as opposed to heels by the way they carried themselves.
Memories: Reflecting on her time on the show, Dominic praised Barbara for keeping everyone in check and laying down the law for both cast and crew alike behind-the-scenes
And it wasn’t just the cast Barbara told off as she also gave Dominic a piece of her mind when she caught his kissing Roxy actress Rita at an awards bash.
Sharing the reprimand he was given, he told the publication: ‘She said, “You’re a producer – you should be getting them in the car, not getting off with them. And anyway, you’re one of them, you’re gay”.’
Dominic also told that after he bagged the executive producer job in 2013, Barbara ordered him to ‘toughen up’ and put on a ‘proper shirt’ as he was now the ‘guv’nor’.
In charge: Barbara was the best executive producer EastEnders never had. She was so sharp, she knew the audience, and kept actors young and old in check’
Shock: The producer also noted one particular moment when Barbara forced co-star June Brown, 93, who played Dot Cotton, to apologise after she branded the storyline ‘s**t’
Wow: He recalled: ‘Once, June Brown shouted at us from her dressing room window, “Your storylines are s**t.” Barbara grabbed her, brought her upstairs and told her to apologise’
Barbara is survived by her third husband Scott Mitchell, who announced early on Friday morning that his ‘best friend and soul mate’ passed away peacefully in a London care home at 8.35pm earlier this month.
He had moved into her home a few days earlier to be by her side when she died.
He said in a statement: ‘Her passing was from Alzheimer’s/Dementia and Barbara eventually died peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.
‘Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, a smile and affection for the many years of her love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives and the entertainment she gave to so many thousands of others during her career.’
Trouble: The screen legend also ticked off actresses Samantha Womack and Rita Simons, who played her screen nieces Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, for not wearing heels behind the bar of the Queen Vic
Professional: Barbara, who was 4ft 10in, argued that viewers would be able to tell the difference if they were wearing their preferred Ugg boots as opposed to heels by the way they carried themselves
He added: ‘It was not the ending that Barbara or anyone else living with this very cruel disease deserve.
‘I will always be immensely proud of Barbara’s courage, dignity and generosity dealing with her own illness and still trying to help others by raising awareness for as long as she could.’
At the end of his moving tribute, Mr Mitchell said: ‘May you rest in peace now my precious Bar. I’ve lost my wife, my best friend and soul mate and my heart or life will never feel the same without you.’
No nonsense: And it wasn’t just the cast Barbara told off as she also gave Dominic a piece of her mind when she caught his kissing Roxy actress Rita at an awards bash
Dame Barbara became one of the most famous faces on British screens for her fun-filled saucy roles in the Carry On comedies of the 1960s and 70s before before becoming the no-nonsense Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell.
As she bravely fought Alzheimer’s in the final years of her life, she turned her energies to campaigning to protect those with dementia, the vulnerable and the lonely as well her passionate support of the Armed Forces through the Poppy Appeal.
The actress – who was made a Dame by the Queen in 2016 – announced she was suffering from Alzheimer’s in 2018, having been diagnosed four years earlier. She moved to a care home in July, five months before she died.
An icon: Barbara’s third husband Scott Mitchell announced earlier this month that his ‘best friend and soul mate’ passed away peacefully in a London care home after a battle with Alzheimer’s