TV Choice Awards 2016: Barbara Windsor honoured for outstanding contribution to television
Veteran star said she was 'absolutely delighted'
DAME Barbara Windsor was presented with a gong for her outstanding contribution to television at the 20th annual TV Choice Awards in London.
The star-studded ceremony which took place tonight (September 5) was held at the swanky Dorchester Hotel in London.
Blonde telly fave Barbara, 79, said that she was “absolutely delighted” by the award.
She said: "It is such an honour to be recognised by TV Choice and it had not been something I ever expected to receive so I am extremely grateful.
"I have been in the business for over 66 years and I have been fortunate to have been involved in some truly outstanding productions that all mean so much to me, so to know that they also mean a lot to the audience is extremely touching.
"Everyone knows how much love I have for EastEnders and that show has played such a pivotal part in my career, without it I may not be receiving this award. Although Peggy may no longer be with us, she and the show will never leave my heart.”
Walford stalwart Peggy, who had been played by Dame Barbara since 1994, took her own life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in scenes broadcast in May.
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ITV soap Emmerdale was the other big winner as it was named best soap over EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks for the very first time.
Actor Danny Miller also scooped best soap actor for his role in the Yorkshire Dales set show.
While EastEnders’ Lacey Turner was named best soap actress and Coronation Street’s Shayne Ward was declared best soap newcomer.
TV Choice Awards 2016 full list of winners
:: Best New Drama - Doctor Foster, BBC One
:: Best Drama Series - Downton Abbey, ITV
:: Best Actor Tom Hiddleston - The Night Manager, BBC One
:: Best Actress - Sarah Lancashire, Happy Valley, BBC One
:: Best Family Drama - Call The Midwife, BBC One
:: Best Reality Show - I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, ITV
:: Best Talent Show - The Great British Bake Off, BBC One
:: Best Entertainment Show - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, ITV
:: Best Lifestyle Show - Gogglebox, Channel 4
:: Best Daytime Show - This Morning, ITV
:: Best Food Show - Sunday Brunch, Channel 4
:: Best International Show - Game Of Thrones, Sky Atlantic
:: Best Factual Show - Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs, ITV
:: Best Comedy - Birds Of A Feather, ITV
:: Best Soap Actor - Danny Miller, Emmerdale, ITV
:: Best Soap Actress - Lacey Turner, EastEnders, BBC One
:: Best Soap Newcomer - Shayne Ward, Coronation Street, ITV
:: Best Soap - Emmerdale, ITV
:: Outstanding Contribution to Television - Dame Barbara Windsor