Barbara Windsor opens up about her decision not to have children
The TV legend is set to appear in a docudrama about her life, to mark her 80th birthday

Actress, singer, and bona fide national treasure Barbara Windsor has opened up about her decision not to have children and the - at times - tumultuous relationship she had with her own mother.
Speaking to The Sun, the EastEnders and Carry On legend admitted that she'd had five abortions throughout her lifetime, saying: 'My mother never told me anything about the facts of life. It was ridiculous. I'd make a mistake then go straight on and do it again. I was so naive.'
'I knew it was wrong, against what you should do. I'm the generation where you kept your feelings to yourself, so I always made out everything was fine. But I went through a lot of mental stress. I thought a lot about God and what he would think of me.'
However, despite her internal struggles, Barbara maintains that she doesn't regret not having children.
'I consider myself to be a warm and lovely person but I never had any maternal feelings. Neither did my mother, so that message was constantly fed to me as a child,' she explained. 'My mother was a new type of woman. Down the road they had five or six kids but she always said, "One is enough". I often felt that she regretted having me.'
79-year-old Barbara is to be the subject of a new BBC docudrama, simply titled 'Babs', ahead of her 80th birthday later this year.
She'll be played by fellow East-End star Jaime Winston, and had a say in the casting, as well as acting in a couple of scenes herself. She says it's 'a wonderful film,' but that it 'felt weird to watch my life literally flashing before my eyes.'
The making of the documentary has clearly struck up some old emotions for Bar, as her friends call her, who admits: 'It's made me very reflective because it's stirred up a lot of feelings about my past.'
Babs will air on BBC1, 8pm on Sunday 7th May
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodTo is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.
-
-
Parenting expert decodes Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s ‘different styles’ of parenting that allow them both to ‘excel in their space’
Princess Beatrice is expecting her second child later this year
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse • Published
-
Al Pacino set to become a dad for fourth time at 83 as his girlfriend is pregnant with their first child
The Godfather star is thought to have been dating girlfriend Noor Alfallah since 2022
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Parents issued urgent warning over fake Bluey episodes on YouTube kids - they're so inappropriate
The rude rip-off version of the popular children's show has surfaced online among content for kids
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
When is Pudsey day 2022? Everything to know about this year's Children in Need
Find out when is Pudsey Day 2022 and other details about this year's Children in Need charity appeal night - including merchandise and how to donate
By Ellie Hutchings • Published
-
Parents slam new 'menacing' Thomas the Tank Engine cartoon movie for ‘making their children cry’
By Selina Maycock • Published
-
Sam Faiers announces premiere date for the return of her series The Mummy Diaries
It's back very soon...
By GoodtoKnow • Published
-
Fern Britton praised for return to This Morning after eight-year hiatus
The star left when she discovered she was not earning as much as her male co-host
By GoodtoKnow • Published
-
This Morning segment reuniting a school bully with his victim divides viewers
While some viewers called the story ‘inspiring’ others criticised the segment
By GoodtoKnow • Published
-
Scarlett Moffatt confirms that she will host I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here's Extra Camp
'Absolute dream come true'
By GoodtoKnow • Published
-
Ant McPartlin returns to social media to share a sweet birthday message for Dec
Fans have rushed to welcome him back after his admission to rehab earlier this year
By GoodtoKnow • Published