Question Time: Barbara Windsor

Barbara Windsor, best known for her flirty appearances in Carry On films, has lived in London all her life and worked in the West End since the age of 14. She's currently working on the new South Bank season on programmes about Kenneth Williams and Lionel Bart - and preparing for rehearsals for Cinderella in Basingstoke this Christmas as the Fairy Godmother

Which part of London would you most like to live in and why?

Well, I'm an East End girl at heart but I've lived in the heart of the West End for five years now. I wish I'd done it years ago - this is my perfect place to live. It's right near Harley Street, so if you've got anything wrong it's not far to go to get it sorted.

Is there anywhere you have never visited in London and keep meaning to?

The Connaught Hotel, because there's a bit of me that doesn't feel I'm quite good enough to go there. I know it sounds silly, and I've been to the Ritz and other hotels that seem far grander than the Connaught. I'd like to go there for cocktail hour someday.

What is your worst transport story?

Oh, I can't think of one. I'm a black cab girl I guess; its difficult to go on public transport when people recognise you.

What is your closest brush with crime?

Having been married to Ronnie Knight for 20 years . . . that was pretty close. Crime has always been around me - I've been robbed, but I'll still walk about. I don't allow fear to get to me.

Nominate your most romantic spot

I guess I have a long-standing love affair with Soho and that's where I love to walk at night with my boyfriend Scott Harvey.

What was the last film you saw and where?

Four Weddings and a Funeral. I saw it at the Screen on Baker Street which is a lovely cinema. Its very civilised, you have a little drink before you go in and there's no chit-chat through the film.

Where did you last eat out, who with and why?

Dinner at a local Chinese, the Tang Dynasty, for my birthday last week. Loads of people came; of course Scott was there, my wonderful agent, Barry Burnett and Paul de Freitas, the casting director, who's a dear friend but he's never got me a job in his life.

Have you ever been banned from anywhere?

I was banned from The Stork Room 25 years ago, and the man who banned me was my agent's dad, Al Burnett. I was working there and Al told me to sit with a customer but I said no, because I wasn't working as a hostess. He screached at me so I picked up a bucket of melting ice, threw it over him and stormed out.

Have you ever seen anyone famous on the streets?

I saw Jack Lemmon walking down Haymarket years ago. I wanted to go up and say, 'I think you're the best, but I just froze.

What would you change about London?

I'm not one for living in the past but it upsets me that you can't leave your door open or the key under the mat anymore. I think it's criminal what they've done to Oxford Street and I'd tear down that awful South Bank complex. Oh well, I guess they'll never ask me to appear at the National Theatre now.

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