Barbara Windsor has announced that she is to leave Eastenders next year after 15 years strutting around Albert Square. Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell, stated that she's looking forward to spending more time with her "old man".Ain't that sweet? But whose going to spar with Pat Butcher and get drunk in ice-cream vans now?

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Windsor said: "Eastenders has been wonderful to me and it's no secret that it changed my life all of those years ago. "I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind; she's such a wonderful character to play."

"I have had the pleasure of working with a marvellous cast and crew and have made many lasting good friends."

"To have had the honour of showing the Queen around the set is something that will stay with me forever. I would like to thank the BBC for the incredible opportunity they gave me and above all, I must thank the wonderful viewers for their support over the years.

"I'm looking forward to the future and I suppose when all's said and done, I should spend a bit more time with my old man, as he's not getting any younger."

Barbara first appeared on Albert Square back in 1994 and since then, has been awarded an MBE as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards. How she'll leave the soap is still unclear.

[via Throng]