Barbara Windsor knocks EastEnders for falling behind soap rivals, saying "it's in a bit of a state at the moment"

Barbara Windsor knocks EastEnders for falling behind soap rivals, saying "it's in a bit of a state at the moment"

Barbara Windsor today blasted bungling EastEnders bosses as she returned to Albert Square after three years away.

In an extraordinary interview to promote her one-off appearance she accused them of getting the show in “a bit of a state”.

And she revealed that actress Pam St Clement wept when they killed off her character Pat Evans.

Babs, 76, who played Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell for 16 years, said getting rid of popular Pam in 2011 was “a disgrace”.

She added: “We never understood it. She told me she wanted a little time off and next thing I know she’s phoning me saying ‘Can I come and see you?’

“She looked at me, her face with big tears, and she went ‘They’re killing me off, Bar’. Nobody knew why, nobody. And by God isn’t she missed.

“I hope she don’t mind me saying that.

“Everybody knew she didn’t want to go. It was a shock to her. She’s a good bird and a good lady to have in a show like that.”

In July EastEnders boss Lorraine Newman quit amid tumbling ratings and was replaced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins who was charged with restoring the soap to its former glory.

Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Babs lamented that the BBC’s ­flagship soap was now languishing behind both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

She said: “It’s in a bit of a state at the moment, it’s not getting there. We’re third and we’ve never been third so it needs working on.”

Barbara told Phillip Schofield she had enjoyed working with the cast again and said: “It’s always there.

"I’d be lying if I said it’s not because I love the ­camaraderie.”

Peggy returns to Phil's side this Friday

Asked if Peggy will make a permanent comeback, she confessed she will certainly return soon, adding: “I don’t know about full time, maybe part time.”

Babs arrived on Albert Square in 1994. The last time viewers saw her was after the disastrous Queen Vic fire in 2010.

Close friend Pam, 71, left the show at the end of 2011 after 2,183 episodes. Her character died of cancer in an episode screened on New Year’s Day 2012.

Tomorrow night viewers will get only a glimpse of Peggy as she makes a nostalgic return in a special scene after the credits.

Not only does she want to say goodbye to best friend Pat â€" who died after she left for a new life in Portugal â€" but she also wants to catch a glimpse of her former pride and joy, the Queen Vic.

When she left the pub it had been gutted by fire but it has now been rebuilt and is run by Alfie Moon.

* Peggy Mitchell makes a one-off return to EastEnders on Friday to be by the side of her injur ed son, Phil,