Windsor convinced Kemp to present show

Barbara Windsor has revealed that she convinced her former EastEnders co-star Ross Kemp to stand in for Paul O'Grady on his chat show in order to show viewers his "real side".

Windsor, who plays Peggy Mitchell in the soap - the mother of Kemp's character Grant - appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show last night as a guest, while the actor stood in for the show's usual host.

The actress explained how she urged her on-screen son to take the chance over dinner, telling him: "You've got to do it. Show them that you're not a thug, show them your real side."

During the programme, Windsor asked Kemp if he would like to return to the soap as hard man Grant. After probing him for an answer, he finally admitted that he would "love to come back".

The former co-stars went on to reminisce about Windsor's first day on the long-running BBC1 soap. Kemp revealed that Windsor was so nervous that she threw up over his shoes while he was showing her around the set.