Bawbahwa Windsor is putting her Peggy Mitchell wig out to pasture, after 15 years on EastEnders, it has been revealed. The 72-year-old actress released this statement:

"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 (and it was such an easy script of learn, mainly comprising of 'faaaaamaaaleeee' and 'GERAAHTAHVIT!'). 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." Her old man is husband Scott Mitchell (she just caaawn't keep away from 'em), who's about twenty years her junior.

According to sources, it is as yet unclear as to how Peggy will exit the soap. Might I suggest to producers the following plotline: exhume Wellard, have him mistake Peggy for a well kept hamster which he will no doubt consume (let's face it, he's not had a square one since being put down on Pat's rug), and then regurgitate as a feisty fur ball, which will catapult itself from his gullet with such verocity it'll embed itself into the side of Archie's head on Christmas Day.

Barbara, you may have played an impish hairpiece with anger issues for the last 15 years, but I shall always fondly remember you as the giggling nymph in the green, combustible bikini in Carry On Camping.

Enjoy retirement!