Co-stars relieved hard-working Windsor is calling time

Barbara Windsor’s ‘EastEnders’ co-stars wanted her to quit the show before she collapsed.

Steve McFadden - who plays the actresses’ on-screen son Phil Mitchell - said he is relieved she is now calling time on her role in the BBC soap, because of how hard she works.

Steve said told the Daily Mirror: “I didn’t try and talk her out it because she has got so much zip in her and she needs to use that zip on herself, rather than keep working so hard she ends up collapsing.”

Concerns have been raised that the 72-year-old actress was pushing herself too hard before, and she took two years out from the show in 2003 when she was struck down with a debilitating form of M.E.

Barbara – who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the British Soap Awards in May this year - announced yesterday she will retire from the show after 15 years so she can spend more time with her husband of nine years, Scott Mitchell.

Sources at the show said Barbara had approached executive producer Diederick Santer two weeks ago about leaving.

Upon announcing her departure she said: “It’s no secret that it changed my life all those years ago.

“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.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who recently made a cameo on the show, said Barbara’s departure is “tragic news”.