Rita Simons can't bear the thought of Barbara Windsor leaving 'EastEnders'.

Rita - who plays the feisty Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap - said she doesn't know how she or her character will cope with losing legendary Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell, as well as her father Archie Mitchell.

She told Inside Soap magazine: "I'm not over Larry Lamb (Archie) leaving, so it was a real blow. For me, Barbara is the show, and it'll be very strange when she goes. I'd hate to see Peggy die a gruesome death, so hopefully she'll go with the door left open - then if she ever wants to come back, she can.

"It hasn't sunk in that Barbara's leaving, because we've been working together so much. But it's her decision, and whatever she wants to do, we'll all support her."

Barbara, 72, who has played Peggy Mitchell since 1994, will leave Walford for good next year.

The actress previously said: "I'll be so sad to leave Peggy behind; she's such a wonderful character to play."

It is not yet known how or when Barbara will leave the show although 'EastEnders' bosses recently announced Peggy's estranged husband Archie will be killed off on Christmas day, with his killer revealed later in February - and this is thought to be Peggy's last major storyline.