Barbara Windsor’s heartbroken EastEnders co-star Dean Gaffney is forced to pay his respects outside her funeral because Covid guidelines limited attendance to 30 people

• The actor, 42, was pictured outside the funeral at Golders Green Crematorium in north London on Friday
• Dean was unable to attend the service as COVID-19 guidelines meant only 30 mourners could be in attendance
• Dean starred opposite Barbara as Robbie Jackson from 1993 to 2003 
• Many of Barbara’s former co-stars including Ross Kemp, David Walliams and Matt Lucas were seen arriving for her funeral
• The actress died December 10 aged 83 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s 

Dean Gaffney was pictured paying his respects to his former co-star Barbara Windsor outside her funeral on Friday.

The actor, 42, was seen arriving in a dark suit and face mask but was unable to attend the service as COVID-19 restrictions meant only 30 mourners could be in attendance.

Many of Barbara’s former co-stars and friends including Ross Kemp, David Walliams and Matt Lucas were seen arriving for her funeral at Golders Creen Crematorium after she died last month at the age of 83 following a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Paying tribute: Dean Gaffney was pictured paying his respects to his former co-star Barbara Windsor as he attended her funeral on Friday 

According to The Sun, Dean was unable to enter the service due to limits on the sizes of funerals during England’s third COVID-19 lockdown.

Dean was pictured arriving in a black suit and brown tie, along with a face mask, which are mandatory for any funerals taking place indoors.

The actor starred alongside Barbara’s Peggy Mitchell on EastEnders as Robbie Jackson for 10 years after joining in 1993, and returned to the soap in 2017 for a two-year stint.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Dean Gaffney for comment.

Sad: The actor was seen arriving in a dark suit and face mask but was unable to attend the service as COVID-19 restrictions meant only 30 mourners could be in attendance

Sombre: Dean was pictured arriving for the service in a black suit and brown tie, along with a face mask, which are mandatory for any funerals taking place indoors

Close bond: The actor starred alongside Barbara’s Peggy Mitchell on EastEnders as Robbie Jackson for 10 years after joining in 1993

Tragedy: Barbara died on December 10 at the age of 83 after a six-year battle with Alzheimer’s (pictured in April 2019)

Funerals in lockdown: The Rules 

COVID-19 guidelines state that 30 people can attend a funeral, and this does not include staff.

However venues of a smaller capacity may allow less mourners to ensure social distancing is maintained. 

Face coverings must be worn inside a place of worship or crematorium.

Mourners who are clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to stay at home.

Linked religious events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to six people.

On Friday Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell paid an emotional tribute to the star as he joined a handful of her celebrity friends at her funeral.

Stars including David Walliams, Matt Lucas and Christopher Biggins were among those who paid their respects during the service.

Flowers spelling out Babs, The Dame and Saucy adorned her coffin, while a topless photo from her Carry On days was included in the order of service, accompanied by her quote: ‘That picture will follow me to the end’.

Scott, who was married to Dame Barbara for 20 years, wrote below it: ‘Yep!!! Rest in peace my darling Bar, my love forever Scott xx.’

A topless picture of Barbara covering herself from the iconic film Carry On Camping adorned the cover of the order of service.

Famed for her infectious laugh and baring all in the Carry On films, the Shoreditch-born actress known as ‘Babs’ boasted a 66-year career in showbusiness, first appearing on stage aged 13 before retiring four years ago aged 79.

As dementia took its toll, 4ft 10ins Dame Barbara was forced to stop playing fearsome landlady Peggy Mitchell on EastEnders.

Moving: Her husband Scott Mitchell was among the mourners attending Barbara’s funeral in north London

Scott said on December 11 that his ‘best friend and soul mate’ passed away peacefully in a London care home at 8:35pm the night before. He had moved into her home a few days earlier to be by her side when she died.

The actor shared the order of service for her funeral because COVID restrictions limited the number of mourners who can attend.

He said: ‘As Covid has denied so many of Barbara’s family, friends and fans a chance to say farewell properly, I wanted to share the order of service to let people be a small part of it.

‘My heart goes out to every family who have experienced the same restrictions at their loved ones funerals.’

Followed her to the end: A topless picture of Barbara covering herself from the iconic film Carry On Camping adorned the cover of the order of service 

He added: ‘I would again like to thank my family, friends, the media and the public for their incredible support and well wishes since Barbara’s passing.

‘Barbara’s condolences page for Alzheimer’s Research UK has passed the £150,000 mark. Beyond anything we may have dreamed of.’   

Ross Kemp, who played Windsor’s son Grant Mitchell in EastEnders – paid a moving tribute to his co-star at the funeral, hailing her ‘common touch’.

‘She had time for everyone and anyone, no matter who or what they were. She was a diplomat who could walk with queens and princes, gangsters and politicians but she never lost the common touch.

Ross also praised Ms Windsor’s husband Scott, saying while she had other husbands, ‘there was only one true love of her life. And that was always Scott,’ pointing to the work the pair did to raise £4 million for the couple’s Dementia Revolution after publicly revealing her diagnosis in 2018.

He ended his eulogy, saying ‘You were brave enough to publicly face Alzheimer’s and help remove the stigma attached to it. 

‘You were a Dame of the British Empire, a Member of the British Empire, the nation loved you, we all loved you. And we will miss you very much.’ 

Moving: Ross Kemp, who played Barbara’s son Grant Mitchell in EastEnders – paid a moving tribute to his co-star at the funeral, hailing her ‘common touch’ 

Source: Read Full Article