Barbara Windsor, best known for her roles as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders and in the Carry On films, has died aged 83.
The actress passed away at her home in London last night with her husband by her side.
The soap and film star was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 and went public with the news four years later.
Dame Barbara made her debut in Eastenders in 1994 and quit in 2009 after first finding fame in the Carry On films.
In her later years, Windsor campaigned to raise awareness of dementia and said she was "thrilled" by the public response.
Her husband Scott Mitchell said last night he had lost his "wife, best friend and soulmate".
He said she had died from Alzheimer's after he had spent the past seven days by her side.
Television star Barbara Windsor after she was made a Dame by the Queen. Picture by: John Stillwell/PA Archive/PA ImagesMr Mitchell added: "I will always be immensely proud of Barbara's courage, dignity and generosity dealing with her own illness and still trying to help others by raising awareness for as long as she could."
Her fellow actors paid tribute to Dame Barbara, with Danniella Westbrook tweeting "my heart is broken", while Steve McFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell in EastEnders, said he is "devastated".
Comedian David Walliams said: "Working with you, spending time with you, and being your friend was one of the greatest thrills of my life. You were the unofficial Queen of England, an icon for over half a century and treasured by the nation."
Additional reporting by IRN
