Eastenders' Barbara to take a break

EastEnders favourite Barbara Windsor is to take an immediate break from the soap because of poor health, it was announced today.

She has been suffering from a virus which has been leaving her tired and feeling low.

Windsor, 65, had been due to take a year-long break from the show from May, but it has now flared up more seriously and she will not return until next year.

She has been suffering from the Epstein-Barr virus which is linked to glandular fever in teenagers.

Windsor has been in the show for almost 12 years as Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell.

The actress is thought to have been feeling unwell since a car accident last year. She was travelling in a taxi when the collision occurred in October.