Barbara Windsor – the froth hid a darker truth

Barbara Windsor, the bubbly blonde star of nine Carry On films and latterly EastEnders, has died aged 83 of Alzheimer’s for which she campaigned in recent years.  She was born 6 August 1937 7.35pm (rectified) in the east end of London with a street-seller/barrow boy father and a dressmaker mother who pushed her towards an acting career after she returned from war-time evacuation. She first appeared on stage at 13, was educated at a dance and drama school and joined the Joan Littlewood