'Enders boss: 'Peggy left with dignity'

EastEnders' executive producer Bryan Kirkwood has revealed the reasoning behind the decision not to kill off Walford legend Peggy Mitchell.

Last month, viewers saw Peggy bow out of Albert Square after she decided that her beloved family needed some independence at last.

In the lead-up to Barbara Windsor's departure from the role, rumours had suggested that Peggy would die in the Queen Vic fire, which was screened on the same week as her final scenes.

Speaking to Inside Soap, Kirkwood commented: "I was told just as I accepted the job that Barbara Windsor had decided to leave. That was bittersweet news to receive, so my first main decisions were about how Peggy would go, and who would take over the pub afterwards."

He continued: "We all discussed the idea of Peggy dying, but every time we talked about it, we were left with a bad taste in our mouths! It just didn't feel right at all. Barbara brings a unique flavour to what she does, and I think there's a real kind of investment in her as an actress.

"We wanted her to leave in a poignant and emotionally truthful fashion - and I wanted Peggy to be able to leave Albert Square with dignity."

Windsor recently admitted that she "absolutely loved" Peggy's departure storyline.