Over 40 dramatic years, EastEnders has made us laugh, cry and gasp with its incredible storylines - and larger than life characters. Dame Barbara Windsor turned Peggy Mitchell into an icon, while June Brown delivered stellar performances episode after episode as devout Dot Cotton. Here we look at the lost legends of EastEnders.

Dame Barbara Windsor (1937 - 2020)

Dame Barbara Windsor captivated audiences for over six decades with her infectious energy, distinctive laugh, and undeniable charm. Best known for her roles in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in , Babs became a national treasure, earning accolades for her contributions to television, film, and theatre.

Born Barbara Ann Deeks on August 6, 1937, in London, she made her stage debut at just 13 and soon earned a BAFTA and a Tony Award nomination, it was her time with the Carry On films, however, that cemented her place in British culture.

Her career took another defining turn in 1994 when she joined EastEnders as Peggy Mitchell, the fiery landlady of the Queen Vic pub and the widowed mother of Phil, Grant, and Samantha Mitchell. Taking over a previously minor character, Barbara transformed Peggy into one of the most iconic figures in British soap history. Her catchphrase—“Get outta my pub!”—became legendary, and her portrayal earned her a British Soap Award for Best Actress in 1999.

She departed EastEnders in 2016 and was made a Dame (DBE) the same year for her services to charity and entertainment. Following her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2014, she and her husband, Scott Mitchell, became tireless advocates for dementia awareness.

Dame Barbara Windsor passed away on December 10, 2020, at the age of 83. Tributes poured in from across the nation and described Barbara as “a true national treasure.”

June Brown (1927 - 2022)

With a career spanning over 70 years, June Brown was best known for her unforgettable portrayal of Dot Cotton in EastEnders.

June joined the soap in 1985, just months after its debut, taking on the role of the chain-smoking, devoutly religious Dot Cotton. One of Brown’s most defining storylines came with Dot’s relationship with her wayward son, Nick Cotton. In 2008, she made history by performing a monologue-driven episode, Pretty Baby, in which Dot recorded a tape for her husband, Jim, after he suffered a stroke. The episode earned Brown a BAFTA nomination—an unprecedented achievement for a British soap actor at the time.

June passed away peacefully on April 3, 2022, at the age of 95. Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, with EastEnders stars past and present hailing her as one of the greatest actresses to ever grace British television.

Leslie Grantham (1947 - 2018)

Best known for his role as “Dirty” Den Watts, Leslie Grantham cemented himself as one of the most infamous villains in British television. Grantham had an unconventional path to stardom, having served ten years in prison for a murder he committed while posted as an army fusilier in West Germany.

Den became a EastEnders fan favorite in 1985, known for his scheming ways, turbulent marriage to Angie, and explosive storylines. His Day 1986 showdown with Angie—where he handed her divorce papers—was watched by over 30 million viewers. In 1989, Den was seemingly killed off after being shot and left for dead in a canal. But in true soap fashion, he made a shocking return in 2003. Leslie Grantham passed away on June 15, 2018, at the age of 71.

Wendy Richard (1943 - 2009)

Wendy Richard was a British household name, best known for her long-running role as Pauline Fowler in EastEnders. Born on July 20, 1943, Richard first found fame in the 1970s as Miss Brahms in the classic sitcom Are You Being Served?. Once the sitcom ended, she joined EastEnders as the matriarch of the Fowler family. Her time on EastEnders lasted over 21 years, but her tenure ended in 2006. Wendy Richard passed away on February 26, 2009, after a battle with cancer.

Mike Reid (1940 - 2007)

Mike Reid is remembered for his role as Frank Butcher, the beloved Queen Vic landlord. Reid’s character was involved in many popular storylines, particularly his turbulent relationships with Pat Wicks and Peggy Mitchell. In 1994, Reid took a break from the show due to stress but returned in 1995. Mike Reid passed away on July 29, 2007, at the age of 67 from a suspected heart attack.

Anna Wing (1914 - 2013)

Anna Wing became best known for playing Lou Beale, the matriarch of the Beale family. She appeared on the show from its debut in 1985 until 1988. Wing passed away on July 7, 2013, at the age of 98.

Bill Treacher (1930 - 2022)

The first person to be cast for EastEnders, Bill Treacher portrayed Arthur Fowler for eleven years. His character struggled with numerous hardships, including his son Mark’s HIV diagnosis and his own mental decline. Treacher left the show in 1995 due to the stress of the role, and passed away on November 5, 2022, at the age of 92.

Gretchen Franklin (1911 - 2005)

Gretchen Franklin portrayed Ethel Skinner, a gossipy yet endearing character who became a fan favorite. Franklin’s portrayal was marked by both humor and sadness, especially as Ethel dealt with dementia. She was killed off in 2000 in a controversial euthanasia storyline. Gretchen Franklin passed away on July 11, 2005, at the age of 94.

Michael Elphick (1946 - 2002)

Michael Elphick joined EastEnders in 2001 as Harry Slater, whose dark past was revealed in a harrowing storyline. Elphick’s struggles with alcoholism led to his departure from the show. He passed away on September 7, 2002, at the age of 55.

Edna Doré (1921 - 2014)

Known for her role as Mo Butcher, Edna Doré played the tough and interfering matriarch of the Butcher family. She passed away on April 11, 2014, at the age of 92.

Hilda Braid (1929 - 2007)

Hilda Braid’s role as Nana Moon brought both warmth and sadness to EastEnders. Nana’s eventual death from dementia left a lasting impact on viewers, and Braid suffered from a similar fate - She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease shortly after her departure from the show, and subsequently moved into a nursing home in Hove. Braid passed away on November 6, 2007, at the age of 78.

Sandy Ratcliff (1948 - 2019)

Sandy Ratcliff portrayed Sue Osman in the early years of EastEnders. She became part of the show’s early tragedy, portraying a mother devastated by the cot death of her baby. Ratcliff passed away in 2019 at the age of 70.

Sian Blake (1972 - 2015)

Sian Blake portrayed Frankie Pierre on EastEnders, leaving a lasting impression with her fiery character. Her career ended tragically when she passed away in 2015 at the age of 43. Her partner, Arthur Simpson-Kent, pleaded guilty to the murders of Sian and her two children.

Ross Davidson (1949 - 2006)

Ross Davidson played the altruistic nurse Andy O'Brien for 18 months, after which character was the first main one to be killed off, dying in a road accident in August 1986. He passed away in 2006 at the age of 57, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Christopher Hancock (1928 - 2004)

Christopher Hancock played conman Charlie Cotton from 1986 until 1990. His character was killed off in July 1991 but his death was not shown on-screen. He passed away after a heart attack in 2004, aged 76.

Lyndam Gregory (1955 - 2014)

Lyndam Gregory had a recurring role as Guppy Sharma on EastEnders from 1995 to 1996. Even though he wasn't a smoker, Gregory died from lung cancer on 15 July 2014 at the age of 59.

Paul Bhattacharjee (1960 - 2013)

Paul Bhattacharjee portrayed Inzamam Ahmed, the brother of Masood Ahmed in EastEnders. Bhattacharjee tragically took his own life in 2013 at the age of 53.

Gemma McCluskie (1983 - 2012)

Gemma McCluskie played Kerry Skinner in EastEnders. She passed away in 2012 at the age of 29 - and in January 2013, her brother, Tony McCluskie, was found guilty of her murder.

Tommy Eytle (1929 - 2008)

Tommy Eytle was a veteran Guyanese actor known for his role as Jules Tavernier in EastEnders from 1990 to 1997 Bert Atkinson in EastEnders. He passed away from a heart attack in 2007 at the age of 80.

Ron Tarr (1936 - 1997)

Ron Tarr played Big Ron from the show's inception in 1985 until just before his death in October 1997. While his character had few central storylines, he was often seen in interactions with the main characters. Tarr passed away in 1997, after battling cancer.