Bobby Davro has recalled how "incredibly generous" Dame Barbara Windsor put him at ease when he filmed his 'EastEnders' debut, and she would also put him "in his place" when he was messing about on set.
Dame Barbara Windsor
The 62-year-old star appeared as Vinnie Monks on the BBC One soap from 2007 to 2008 and he has thanked the Peggy Mitchell actress - who passed away on Thursday (10.12.20) aged 83 following a long battle with Alzheimer's - for helping him out during his time in Walford.
He said: "She was so lovely to be with. When I first went into 'EastEnders' - it was down to Barbara, who put in a good word for me - I was so nervous to do my first scene.
"I had to come into the Vic with a big pile of toilet roll. I was so nervous about dropping rolls and she said, 'Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it.'
"She was incredibly professional, but if you were late or you took the Mickey, which I always seemed to be doing, she would put you in your place.
"That's good discipline.
"She was also an incredibly generous performer. We're going to miss her."
Barbara's former co-star Dean Gaffney (Robbie Jackson) has also praised the late acting legend for being such a "professional person", who knew the names of everyone on the BBC One soap, from the "cleaner to the main boss".
Speaking on 'Good Morning Britain', he added: "She made everyone feel welcome. Whether it be the cleaner or the main boss of the show - she knew everyone's names, she knew everyone's family.
"One thing we all share is she was such a professional person.
"She always used to say to me, 'Dean, there's two things 'EastEnders' ask of you on this show - know your lines and be on time.'
"And she was a stickler for it. She always used to say, 'Your generation don't know your born. You get a lot done for you on 'EastEnders.'
"She knew about the business and she was very, very professional."
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