EastEnders viewers emotional as Dame Barbara Windsor 'returns' as Peggy Mitchell

EastEnders viewers were left fighting back tears on Tuesday evening as Dame Barbara Windsor returned as Peggy Mitchell.

The latest episode of the BBC soap saw Sharon Watts try and knock some sense into Phil Mitchell, after he was offered a deal by the police.

The Walford hardman was forced to make a choice between life in prison, or being an informant for the police.

As he sat in the middle of the Square contemplating what decision to make, Phil (Steve McFadden) looked up at the Queen Vic pub as he heard his mother's voice.

"Phil, you gotta get out there and defend what's yours," Peggy was heard saying, in a soundbite that was taken from an old episode of EastEnders.

EastEnders' Phil Mitchell heard his mother and brother's voice during a flashback scene in Tuesday's episode (BBC)

Phil's brother Grant, played by Ross Kemp, then piped up and said: "Then you should have come to me, at least I would have kicked some sense into ya and made you feel a bit better."

Peggy then added: "You're surrounded by people who love you, just try to love yourself..."

Phil's flashback was abruptly interrupted by his ex Sharon (Letitia Dean) who asked him: "You haven't taken the deal have you? You're ready to lose everything that matters to you, and for what?"

Dame Barbara Windsor played the iconic role of Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap for many years (BBC)

"Sharon, I spent my whole life running away from the Old Bill and now you expect me to just turn around and become part of their firm," he clapped back.

But despite the heated exchange between Phil and Sharon, viewers were more fixated on Peggy's return.

Taking to Twitter, one person tuning in wrote: "Oh Peggy … that was sad #EastEnders."

Sharon Watts tried to convince Phil to swallow his pride and accept the police's deal (BBC)

Another viewer posted: "OMG! Peggy's voice. Miss her SO MUCH. #EastEnders," and a third tweeted: "Omg Peggy’s voice so precious #eastenders."

Someone else posted: "Omg the Peggy voiceover I'm not crying you are #Eastenders."

And another added: "Oh my gosh! Peggy and Grant’s voices. Such a lovely touch to this episode tonight. #EastEnders."

Dame Barbara sadly passed away in December 2020, and made her final appearance on EastEnders in 2016 and featured in a heartbreaking storyline.

The character first appeared onscreen back in April 1991 and was well known for her famous line: "Get outta my pub!" when she was landlady of the Queen Vic.