EastEnders: Max Branning cries as he leaves Walford for good

EastEnders legend Barbara Windsor became iconic for her role as Queen Vic matriarch Peggy Mitchell, with her no-nonsense attitude and unconditional love for her sons Phil (played by Steve McFadden) and Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp).

Barbara left the BBC soap in 2016, having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years prior and continued to keep her fight with the illness away from the spotlight.

She sadly passed away three years ago, leaving her husband Scott Mitchell who said she died “peacefully” after spending her last seven days “by her side”.

Since her death, Scott hasn’t stopped trying to raise awareness of the condition, having fundraised thousands of pounds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

He is back at it again, this time running the London Marathon, this time with help from some of Barbara’s former EastEnders co-stars.

Scott is joined by the likes of soap stars Heather Peace, Lacey Turner, Natalie Cassidy, Tanya Franks and Adam Woodyatt for the big event.

Actor Jake Wood who played Max Branning for 15 years, was also meant to be running but had to pull out at the last minute.

When talking about people getting together to race for Alzheimer’s Research UK with Gabby Logan during the BBC’s coverage on Sunday morning, Scott said: “We are so lucky to have the most incredible friends, because when you say to someone, ‘Do me a favour, run a marathon with me’, it’s a big ask.

“It’s not like saying, ‘Can you meet me after work for a coffee?'”

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He continued: “So I’m just so indebted to them with everyone training hard.

“I want to say a big shout-out to Jake Wood who unfortunately fell ill this week after all his training, he’s not able to do it.

“But thank you, Jake, we’re all thinking of you.”

The 50-year-old ex-EastEnders actor also took to Instagram to share the bad news.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jake Wood (@mrjakewood)

He wrote: “I have had to take the decision to pull out of this years @londonmarathon due to a chest infection.

“I am so sad to miss the day running with my @babsarmy team.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far and for all your donations which will all go to @alzheimersresearchuk in memory of our friend Barbara Windsor.

“Donation page is still open, follow the link in my bio if you would like to donate and support my friends running on Sunday.” (sic)

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