Being Babs!

Stars Samantha Spiro, Jaime Winstone and Dame Barbara Windsor herself on a fascinating drama about the ups and downs of Barbara's life 

- Caren Clark

What do you call a small collection of Barbara Windsors?

A giggle! As TV Times arrives at Catford’s Broadway Theatre, we’re delighted to hear showbiz’s most famous chuckle emanating from no fewer than three ‘Barbaras’.

We’re on set for Babs, BBC1’s biopic detailing the remarkable life of the EastEnders legend and, as if meeting the ever-bubbly real  Dame Barbara, 79, wasn’t enough of a treat (see box), we’re also joined by Samantha Spiro and Jaime Winstone, who play her at various stages in her extraordinary career.

‘It is very funny when the three of us get together, but it’s weirder for Barbara’s husband, Scott,’ smiles star Samantha, 48.

The one-off drama, penned by former EastEnders writer Tony Jordan, begins in 1993, just before Barbara took on her role as Albert Square icon Peggy Mitchell.

Barbara, played at this point by Samantha, is doing an end-of-the pier show, and reflects on the past 50 years between performances.