Barbara Windsor signs on to Dick Whittington

Windsor has not appeared in a pantomime for 15 years

EastEnders star Barbara Windsor is to appear in a Bristol pantomime this Christmas, it has been announced.

The 72-year-old, who has not appeared in a pantomime since 1995, will play Fairy Bowbells in Dick Whittington at The Hippodrome.

It is her first confirmed project since she revealed last October she would be quitting her role as Peggy Mitchell later this year.

Windsor said she was "thrilled to be returning to the stage".

"I have made no secret of the fact that I have been bursting to perform in pantomime again and The Bristol Hippodrome is a theatre I have always longed to play," Windsor said.

"This show will take me into my 60th year in show business and I can't think of a better way to celebrate it."

Gary Roden, general manager at the Bristol Hippodrome, said: "We are honoured and proud that one of this country's greatest national treasures will be starring in our pantomime this Christmas."

Dick Whittington will run from 11 December to 9 January 2011.