EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor slams soap’s new boss for axing sisters Ronnie and Roxie Mitchell
Former Queen Vic landlord claims pair did not want to leave Albert Square
EASTENDERS legend Barbara Windsor has slammed the soap’s new boss for axing sisters Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell.
The former Queen Vic landlord, who played Peggy Mitchell for over two decades, says Sean O’Connor has made a huge blunder killing off the popular duo, played by Samantha Womack and Rita Simons .
She also claims the actresses, who play Peggy’s nieces, did not want to leave Albert Square.
Babs, 79, said: “It wasn’t the girl’s choice. It’s the new producer’s decision.
“I’m sure he’ll be good for the show, but that is a mistake. When I heard I was shocked.”
The soap queen, who bid her final farewell from Walford in May when iconic character took her life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, is the latest cast member up in arms about Sean’s brutal clean-up on The Square.
Samantha, 43, broke her silence on her shock departure on Twitter last Friday, posting a video collage made by a fan.
She wrote: “10 years of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell. My heart is breaking watching this.”
The actress and co-star Rita, 39, are said to be devastated by the news as they hoped the door would be left open for them to return.
The sisters arrived in Albert Square fresh off the plane from Ibiza in 2007 as the cousins of hardmen Grant and Phil.
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Their deaths, which they’ve filmed multiple endings for to keep the plot top secret, are part of a huge cull of over a dozen characters by new producer Sean.
Further exits include characters Margaret Midhurst and Paul Coker, Masood Ahmed, Lee Carter and Babe Smith, all of whom have been axed since Sean took over the reins from former executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins in April.
Long-serving Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, revealed in May how even his fictional family weren’t safe from the chop.
He said: “Oh god, he’s going to axe everyone – all the old characters, get rid of all the Beales? I don’t know.
“Every new boss is going to come in and put their stamp on it. That’s what happens.”
Sean worked as director, producer and story producer on Eastenders for four years between 2001 and 2005 and made his comeback after 11 years away.