RIP Barbara Windsor

[sparkus]

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[Fac51]

RIP

Such a terrible disease.....

[winkywanky]

Oh dear  . The passing of a true British icon. Very sad. She had bad taste in husbands (apart from her final one) but she was well loved, by pretty well all I think? She made blondes with big knockers acceptable to the masses with her cheeky demeanour.

I should imagine the last few months must have been very stressful for her and anyone close to her, but it actually doesn't seem so very long ago that she was still relatively compos mentis? I know of others where the agony has gone on for decades.

RIP BW.

[sparkus]

Always loved that ending of the Carry On film (don't remember which one it was) where her and Sid James ride off on a motorbike together.

[NIK]

I actually never found her either sexually appealing nor particularly funny, and even slightly irritating. However, despite this it’s sad to see yet another figure from my childhood / youth gone.
There will be none left soon!

[NIK]

Always loved that ending of the Carry On film (don't remember which one it was) where her and Sid James ride off on a motorbike together.

Apparently they had a real relationship.
Sid seemed to appeal to women.
It can’t have been for his looks!

[winkywanky]

Apparently they had a real relationship.
Sid seemed to appeal to women.
It can’t have been for his looks!

I'm not sure whether it could be called a relationship? I think for a long time he'd wanted to fuck her, he kept telling her so, and she eventually relented. She saw themselves as pals rather than lovers or partners.

That's my memory of it?

[NIK]

I'm not sure whether it could be called a relationship? I think for a long time he'd wanted to fuck her, he kept telling her so, and she eventually relented. She saw themselves as pals rather than lovers or partners.

That's my memory of it?

I was going to say affair. Maybe that would have been more appropriate?

Anyway, what did Sid have which attracted the women?

[winkywanky]

Nothing. He was persistent!

Oh, and possibly that laugh! 

[winkywanky]

He did have a Brillo Pad for hair, perhaps girls could rub their feet on his head to exfoliate? 

[sparkus]

I was going to say affair. Maybe that would have been more appropriate?

Anyway, what did Sid have which attracted the women?

Or just FBs or FWBs?

His cheeky laugh? A certain rough-hewn charisma? I doubt they were shagging him to get to Bernard Breslaw (or Charles Hawtry for that matter).

[sparkus]

I remember she was Viz's top recommendation for a replacement monarch as she had the right surname, but also that "men would queue up all day (like they already do anyway) in the post office to lick stamps of busty Babs".

They had plenty of fun with her: External Link/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

Nothing. He was persistent!

Oh, and possibly that laugh! 

Perhaps he was hung like a donkey 

[winkywanky]

Or just FBs or FWBs?

His cheeky laugh? A certain rough-hewn charisma? I doubt they were shagging him to get to Bernard Breslaw (or Charles Hawtry for that matter).

...and certainly not Kenneth Williams, apart from being Gay he was far too obsessed with his bowel movements 

[winkywanky]

Perhaps he was hung like a donkey 

Well it's certainly too late to ask for Ms. Windsor's view on that.

[willie loman]

jeremy paxman asked, on Universtiy Challenge, Which soap opera star in her recent autobiography declared that in her youth she had been "a right wee goer". thats one i could answer. Recently had  a conversation with a retired edinburgh priest, who told me when he had worked at wandsworth prison as assistant governor, he had booked her gangster husband into the prison. She had an interesting life.

[winkywanky]

Yes willie, she seemed to have an eye for the badboy, the dodgy geezer, in her younger life. She ended up with a guy the complete opposite of course, Scott Whatsisface, although by this time she was perhaps already past her sexually-demanding days?

It's funny, my ex-gf had been with a succession of utter bastards (married two of them), and this intrigued me. Our relationship started off with very clandestine sex, frantic and hot snatched moments, before turning into something steadier. Like a lot of women, she seemed to be under the impression that only a complete bastard could give her the very wild and naughty shafting she craved, when infact a really lovely, caring and cultured individual such as myself gave her the hardest banging she'd ever had  .

We split for various unrelated reasons, but I never cease to be amazed by the cunts some women feel they have to go for to get a guy who's truly naughty and depraved between the sheets. Strange creatures, aren't they? 

[willie loman]

Yes willie, she seemed to have an eye for the badboy, the dodgy geezer, in her younger life. She ended up with a guy the complete opposite of course, Scott Whatsisface, although by this time she was perhaps already past her sexually-demanding days?

It's funny, my ex-gf had been with a succession of utter bastards (married two of them), and this intrigued me. Our relationship started off with very clandestine sex, frantic and hot snatched moments, before turning into something steadier. Like a lot of women, she seemed to be under the impression that only a complete bastard could give her the very wild and naughty shafting she craved, when infact a really lovely, caring and cultured individual such as myself gave her the hardest banging she'd ever had  .

We split for various unrelated reasons, but I never cease to be amazed by the cunts some women feel they have to go for to get a guy who's truly naughty and depraved between the sheets. Strange creatures, aren't they? 

its often remarked that men will shag anything, but in fact most men have standards, its women who will shag anything.

[fudi_maar]

In the 1970's Barbara Windsor's tits were part of our British heritage. Something to be proud of, and a point of envy for the rest of the world.

That clip from Carry on Camping where Babs's boobs pop out and her bra hits Kenneth Williams on the face is a timeless classic.



External Link/Members Only

[sparkus]

I once worked with someone who was something of a Carry On buff, he showed me his autographed copy of Joan Sims' autobiography with some pride.  The only woman Kenneth Williams ever proposed to, died at 71 from alcoholism like Charles Hawtrey at a similar age before her.

I wouldn't say I was a fan of Carry On films but Carry On Nurse has some lovely supporting actresses in it.

[smiths]

Sad news. She lead an interesting life, was with lots of men including some shady ones, knew the Krays when they were at their chilling best. She once said she liked Reggie but was terrified of Ronnie and from what I have heard I don't blame her.

Carry On Camping was on ITV3 earlier and Babs was shown on BBC1 earlier. I always think of her along the same lines as Diana Dors except Babs was able to sustain a very long career, Dors was really stunning when young and fit, Babs was all tits but not a bad looker when younger I thought. RIP.

[smiths]

I was going to say affair. Maybe that would have been more appropriate?

Anyway, what did Sid have which attracted the women?

A long affair though, 10 years off and on, its been rumoured her then husband, the shady Ronnie Knight leaned on James to end it, but that's never been confirmed. James was a letch and kept on at her for years before she relented. What he had that attracted some women was humour and a jack the lad quality, being famous also wouldn't of hurted and the Carry-On stars were very famous back then of course. Though ironically they got paid peanuts by the standards then let alone now, considering the success of many of the films.

[winkywanky]

A long affair though, 10 years off and on, its been rumoured her then husband, the shady Ronnie Knight leaned on James to end it, but that's never been confirmed. James was a letch and kept on at her for years before she relented. What he had that attracted some women was humour and a jack the lad quality, being famous also wouldn't of hurted and the Carry-On stars were very famous back then of course. Though ironically they got paid peanuts by the standards then let alone now, considering the success of many of the films.

Blimey, I had no idea she and Sid were consorting for that long?

As for Ronnie Knight disapproving of it, was this while he was inside at Her Maj's Pleasure, and unable to do anything about it? I guess if he were that pissed off he could've arranged for James to be kneecapped, but it might have appeared a little obvious  .

And yes, all the Carry On actors were indeed on peanuts, with no residuals at all AFAIK. So despite most of the films being shown regularly on TV all over the world, and regularly on British TV still, there was no money coming in for even the 'regulars'.

[sparkus]

Blimey, I had no idea she and Sid were consorting for that long?

As for Ronnie Knight disapproving of it, was this while he was inside at Her Maj's Pleasure, and unable to do anything about it? I guess if he were that pissed off he could've arranged for James to be kneecapped, but it might have appeared a little obvious  .

And yes, all the Carry On actors were indeed on peanuts, with no residuals at all AFAIK. So despite most of the films being shown regularly on TV all over the world, and regularly on British TV still, there was no money coming in for even the 'regulars'.

The stinginess didn't stop there, it took several box office hits to allow them to be filmed outside of the Home Counties and even then it was Snowdonia doubling up as the Khyber Pass and the Sussex coast as the Sahara.

[Charlie Chalk]

Despite what she was famous for, Babs' tits weren't actually that big. She said herself she was small or medium sized but had learned how to stand or pose to make them look much bigger. She was really, really pretty when she was young (Carry on Spying, for example) but not so much from the mid 60's onwards IMHO. Thanks to the miracle of big screen hi definition tv and blu ray, in Carry on Again Doctor, you can see plenty more of Babs than was intended when she's being examined by Dr Nookey. I think watching her from an early age cemented my preference for shorter women with curves!

Terrible taste in men when she was younger but at least she seemed to get it right in the end.

Such a horrible, terrible disease but at least it was mercifully, relatively brief compared to some. Going to have a watch of Carry on Doctor later as a tribute:
"Oh, what a lovely pair"
"That's just what I was thinking"

Unsubtle, but classic! Just like Babs. RIP

[Ali Katt]

Always loved that ending of the Carry On film (don't remember which one it was) where her and Sid James ride off on a motorbike together.

Carry On Girls it was shown last Christmas.

[Colston36]

Oh dear  . The passing of a true British icon. Very sad. She had bad taste in husbands (apart from her final one) but she was well loved, by pretty well all I think? She made blondes with big knockers acceptable to the masses with her cheeky demeanour.

I should imagine the last few months must have been very stressful for her and anyone close to her, but it actually doesn't seem so very long ago that she was still relatively compos mentis? I know of others where the agony has gone on for decades.

RIP BW.

My first wife had dementia. Although parted for many years we stayed close and met regularly. After a while with the condition she seemed simply unaware of what was happening, but not in great distress. Probably relieved not to recognise me. The woman I left her for (actually she threw me out) was a call girl, as they called the ladies then. She knew Barbara Windsor. They worked as hostesses in the same club - Churchill's in Bond Street.

[NIK]

Sad news. She lead an interesting life, was with lots of men including some shady ones, knew the Krays when they were at their chilling best. She once said she liked Reggie but was terrified of Ronnie and from what I have heard I don't blame her.

Carry On Camping was on ITV3 earlier and Babs was shown on BBC1 earlier. I always think of her along the same lines as Diana Dors except Babs was able to sustain a very long career, Dors was really stunning when young and fit, Babs was all tits but not a bad looker when younger I thought. RIP.

Yes, I thought Diana Dors was stunning when younger (before my time!) but boy did she quickly go off.
My main memory of her when I was a kid and she was in Queenie’s Castle was of a peroxide middle aged fat minger. She was probably only in her forties at the time.

Never fancied Babs I’m afraid, but I suppose she wasn’t a bad looker.

[george r]

I actually never found her either sexually appealing nor particularly funny, and even slightly irritating. However, despite this it’s sad to see yet another figure from my childhood / youth gone.
There will be none left soon!

same here mate..

[smiths]

Blimey, I had no idea she and Sid were consorting for that long?

As for Ronnie Knight disapproving of it, was this while he was inside at Her Maj's Pleasure, and unable to do anything about it? I guess if he were that pissed off he could've arranged for James to be kneecapped, but it might have appeared a little obvious  .

And yes, all the Carry On actors were indeed on peanuts, with no residuals at all AFAIK. So despite most of the films being shown regularly on TV all over the world, and regularly on British TV still, there was no money coming in for even the 'regulars'.

One rumour was he went round to have words with James about shagging Babs so was out then obviously. Yes I assume it being too obvious he was behind it is why he didn't have James done over.

The Carry-On stars had among the worst deals for stars, the producers were notoriously tight fisted and everything was done on the cheap. And the profits made never filtered back to the stars. Kenneth Williams very bitterly moaned about his deal in his diaries, however he still did the films as it was a set amount he could bank on so he said. He would say when sent the latest script this isn't for me and try to get his fee upped but the producers would just say no to that, and either be in it or not.

[smiths]

Yes, I thought Diana Dors was stunning when younger (before my time!) but boy did she quickly go off.
My main memory of her when I was a kid and she was in Queenie’s Castle was of a peroxide middle aged fat minger. She was probably only in her forties at the time.

Never fancied Babs I’m afraid, but I suppose she wasn’t a bad looker.

Yes Dors didn't last long as a looker, as early as 1975 she was fat and looking rough to me, a very far cry from the stunner of the 50s into the 60s, that arsehole she was with Alan Lake also did her no favours.

[smiths]

Carry On Girls it was shown last Christmas.

They often show a selection of Carry-On films on ITV 3 some weekends and bank holidays, its usually film after film at Christmas.

[winkywanky]

The stinginess didn't stop there, it took several box office hits to allow them to be filmed outside of the Home Counties and even then it was Snowdonia doubling up as the Khyber Pass and the Sussex coast as the Sahara.

Yes, apparently it was bloody cold in those kilts at altitude in Wales, in the middle of winter 

[sparkus]

Yes Dors didn't last long as a looker, as early as 1975 she was fat and looking rough to me, a very far cry from the stunner of the 50s into the 60s, that arsehole she was with Alan Lake also did her no favours.

I only read up on him recently after catching him in David Edgar's Play for Today 'Destiny' (which is superb by the way), what a life he led.

[smiths]

I only read up on him recently after catching him in David Edgar's Play for Today 'Destiny' (which is superb by the way), what a life he led.

Apparently he was fine when not boozing but when he was pissed he could be very nasty. Shot himself in his sons bedroom after dropping his son off at the local railway station, his mother was already dead by then. I see the son has also died at about 50 from boozing it says after witnessing the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Lake had good potential as an actor but pissed it away like Oliver Reed did, and my fave actor Richard Burton though he was a much bigger star of course.

[sparkus]

Apparently he was fine when not boozing but when he was pissed he could be very nasty. Shot himself in his sons bedroom after dropping his son off at the local railway station, his mother was already dead by then. I see the son has also died at about 50 from boozing it says after witnessing the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Lake had good potential as an actor but pissed it away like Oliver Reed did, and my fave actor Richard Burton though he was a much bigger star of course.

It's funny how this thread is populated by names of people who wouldn't get into showbusiness at all nowadays - Barbara Windsor (unless she could sing), South African barber Sid James and Alan Lake from Stoke.

[winkywanky]

It's funny how this thread is populated by names of people who wouldn't get into showbusiness at all nowadays - Barbara Windsor (unless she could sing), South African barber Sid James and Alan Lake from Stoke.

You reckon?

Some of the shite that passes for comedy and/or entertainment, acting these days beggars belief IMO.

Yes, my opinion is somewhat informed by the fact that I'm old(er  ) but nevertheless everyone thinks they can have their 5mins of fame these days, 'broadcasting' from any one of their social meeja platforms with their own little merry band of followers. Very few of them will stand the test of time.

I guess in a way it's good because you don't need to be 'discovered' by some impresario/bigwig/glorified sex offender in an office at the BBC/ITV/Sky/C4/C5, but I think it was normally the case that if you were really talented and really had the drive to succeed, you could do it.

These days it just seems like never ending whingeing drivel, with every excuse under the sun why you didn't win some award, or get the recognition that you clearly (according to yourself) deserve.

[chrishornx]

You reckon?

I am not convinced

[Colston36]

It's funny how this thread is populated by names of people who wouldn't get into showbusiness at all nowadays - Barbara Windsor (unless she could sing), South African barber Sid James and Alan Lake from Stoke.

On what basis do you say this? Are you an expert? Perhaps a talent agent? A great show business success?

[willie loman]

On what basis do you say this? Are you an expert? Perhaps a talent agent? A great show business success?

i dont think you understand the point that sparkus was making, he wasnt attacking them or questioning their merits.

[ulstersubbie]

South African barber Sid James

What makes me laugh about James is how many people thought he was a cockney. His false "mockney"  is obvious if you listen closely.

[smiths]

It's funny how this thread is populated by names of people who wouldn't get into showbusiness at all nowadays - Barbara Windsor (unless she could sing), South African barber Sid James and Alan Lake from Stoke.

Yes now we have great talents like Gemma Collins, you couldn't make it up.

[sparkus]

i dont think you understand the point that sparkus was making, he wasnt attacking them or questioning their merits.

Indeed, quite the opposite

[tantraman]

RIP, Babs ...

Oooh, Missus! How could we not include ol' Babs Windsor here!?! ...

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[sparkus]

She was no Liz Fraser is all I can say.

[sparkus]

You reckon?

Some of the shite that passes for comedy and/or entertainment, acting these days beggars belief IMO.

Yes, my opinion is somewhat informed by the fact that I'm old(er  ) but nevertheless everyone thinks they can have their 5mins of fame these days, 'broadcasting' from any one of their social meeja platforms with their own little merry band of followers. Very few of them will stand the test of time.

I guess in a way it's good because you don't need to be 'discovered' by some impresario/bigwig/glorified sex offender in an office at the BBC/ITV/Sky/C4/C5, but I think it was normally the case that if you were really talented and really had the drive to succeed, you could do it.

These days it just seems like never ending whingeing drivel, with every excuse under the sun why you didn't win some award, or get the recognition that you clearly (according to yourself) deserve.

Not only that but many of the post-war generation of comic talents got their leg up in the entertainment industry through performing for the troops etc. or regional slog in rep theatre.  My point is that there was a leg up for working class talent from the regions, whereas now both acting and music (and journalism) are closed shops for the educated upper middle classes.

It's the same in politics (I will leave it there!) e.g. the post-war leadership of this country was drawn from the likes of Bevin, Callaghan etc. who'd all seen considerable time in workplaces/the forces as opposed to the politician class of today reared on PPE/Classics at Oxford.

[henry4201]

Perhaps he was hung like a donkey 

According to External Link/Members Only, 11th Dec. edition:

David Walliams once got his knob out at a friend's birthday party for Barbara Windsor's appraisal. Her verdict? Impressive, but not as big as Sid James's...

[Ali Katt]

You reckon?

Some of the shite that passes for comedy and/or entertainment, acting these days beggars belief IMO.

Yes, my opinion is somewhat informed by the fact that I'm old(er  ) but nevertheless everyone thinks they can have their 5mins of fame these days, 'broadcasting' from any one of their social meeja platforms with their own little merry band of followers. Very few of them will stand the test of time.

I guess in a way it's good because you don't need to be 'discovered' by some impresario/bigwig/glorified sex offender in an office at the BBC/ITV/Sky/C4/C5, but I think it was normally the case that if you were really talented and really had the drive to succeed, you could do it.

These days it just seems like never ending whingeing drivel, with every excuse under the sun why you didn't win some award, or get the recognition that you clearly (according to yourself) deserve.

Look at Ricky Gervais, not a good looking man by most people's standards, also much older than most comedians when he started and it was a slow start with 11 o clock show.

[sparkus]

Look at Ricky Gervais, not a good looking man by most people's standards, also much older than most comedians when he started and it was a slow start with 11 o clock show.

I think he'd worked in and around entertainment for almost 20 years, just decided to have a go himself later.  A former friend worked at MTV in Camden in the 90s so they shared drinking circles with XfM, said he was a good laugh at work and to have a drink with and spent most of his time down the pub with market traders, so you wouldn't have assumed his rise to fame.

[winkywanky]

Look at Ricky Gervais, not a good looking man by most people's standards, also much older than most comedians when he started and it was a slow start with 11 o clock show.

Agreed, perhaps Gervais is the exception that proves the rule. Although I was thinking more of the relatively recent current crop being shite, Gervais is almost part of the old furniture now.