Barbara Windsor funeral: David Walliams and Christopher Biggins among stars in attendance
Stars of the British stage and screen have assembled in London to lay acting icon Dame Barbara Windsor to rest.
The EastEnders and Carry On legend passed away in December at the age of 83 following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
She took part in extensive fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society during the final years of her life.
Read more: Barbara Windsor’s husband thanks fans for charity donations
Windsor was laid to rest this afternoon in a private ceremony at Golders Green Crematorium in North London.
The star’s coffin was accompanied by flower displays reading “The Dame”, “Saucy” and “Babs”.
Her on-screen son Ross Kemp — who played Grant Mitchell in Eastenders — delivered the eulogy at the service, attended by celebs including David Walliams, Matt Lucas and Christopher Biggins.
The ceremony was also attended by journalist and Loose Women panellist Jane Moore, as well as other EastEnders actors including Dean Gaffney and Jamie Borthwick.
Read more: Barbara Windsor’s life in pictures
Under the current COVID-19 rules, no more than 30 people are able to attend a funeral in England.
Guests arrived at the service wearing face masks in accordance with the current rules.
Windsor was best known for her iconic performance as Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders and her accompanying “get out of my pub” catchphrase.
She was part of the show from 1994 until 2016, when the character passed away as a result of breast cancer.
Read more: EastEnders role answered Windsor’s prayers
Windsor had previously found fame as part of the ensemble of the Carry On movies, appearing in classics like Carry On Camping in 1969 and Carry On Matron in 1974.
The Alzheimer’s Society was among the organisations paying tribute to Windsor’s work ahead of her memorial today, with the Royal British Legion also expressing their fondness for the star.
Dame Barbara was a truly extraordinary woman, and today our thoughts are with her and Scott’s family and friends and everyone who loved her.
We will be forever grateful to Dame Barbara and her husband for sharing their dementia experience so bravely.https://t.co/Aaa4JaMwma— Alzheimer's Society (@alzheimerssoc) January 8, 2021
Today we say goodbye to the much loved Dame Barbara Windsor. We will forever be grateful to her for the time she dedicated to supporting the Armed Forces community over the years. Read our full tribute to Dame Barbara here 👉 https://t.co/6SQffn5yyV pic.twitter.com/tdvCgY2rgR
— Royal British Legion (@PoppyLegion) January 8, 2021
Windsor’s husband, Scott Mitchell, has asked for well-wishers to offer donations to Alzheimer’s Research UK in her honour.
The charity has already received almost £150,000 worth of pledges via the JustGiving page set up to commemorate the star and her fundraising work.
Read more: Ross Kemp calls for ‘Barbara Tax’ to fund dementia care
The page states: “Scott and Barbara’s brave decision to go public with her diagnosis has given others the confidence to share their stories.
“And support for Alzheimer’s Research UK’s vital dementia research has grown since she left us, showing just how much she meant to so many.”
Watch: Ross Kemp reveals emotional final conversation with Barbara Windsor