The London Press Club today paid tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor on news of her sad death.

Dame Barbara was made Londoner of the Year at the Press Club Awards in October for her outstanding contribution to life in the capital.

Club chair Doug Wills said today: “We express our deep condolences to Dame Barbara’s husband Scott and her family, and join with everyone today in remembering her for bringing a richness of joy and drama to our lives. The Club would also like to pay tribute again to all Dame Barbara did to support those suffering from Alzheimer’s.”

Dame Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell said when announcing her death today: “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.”

At the Press Club awards in October when Dame Barbara was announced as Londoner of the Year she was described as a true London icon. In presenting the awards the club said: “Barbara Windsor – she chose her stage name in honour of the Queen – was born in Shoreditch and started acting aged 13, with key early roles in St Trinian’s and for Joan Littlewood’s Theatre workshop at Stratford east. Appearances in nine Carry On films made her a star and she later became the longest-serving landlady of the Queen Vic in EastEnders from 1994 to 2010 and 2013 to 2016, from which she departed with a memorable death scene. That year she was created a dame for her work in entertainment and charity, and one of her finest later roles has been as a spokesperson for fellow dementia sufferers. London really has nothing else like this Dame.”

Nick Ferrari said: “Born and bred in this great city, Barbara was as much a part of London as Tower Bridge or Big Ben, which makes it so poignantly fitting that the last award she was to receive was from the London Press Club.”

Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell said at the awards on Barbara’s behalf: “There are two things about this award that I know make it incredibly special to Barbara. Firstly, Being a true Londoner, born and bred and being fiercely proud of this amazing City, to be named Londoner of The Year is the biggest accolade you can give her.The second part is the fact it’s been given to her by The London Press Club.

“Barbara has always had a great respect for the press as she has always understood that the two worlds of celebrity and the press are part of each other’s fabric!  They are both unruly and gossipy worlds which Barbara felt at home in.

“On behalf of Barbara, a big thank you to all of you for her award and the support you have shown us both recently and Barbara throughout the years.”