Jo Joyner has thanked Dame Barbara Windsor for taking her "under her wing" when she first joined ‘EastEnders’.
The pair bonded after they had both portrayed "naughty nurses" in previous roles – Jo in comedy-drama series ‘No Angels’, and Barbara as Nurse Sandra May in ‘Carry On Doctor’ and Nurse Susan Ball in ‘Carry On Matron’ – and she has praised the star for always being "warm and devoted" to her supporters.
She wrote on Twitter: "Barbara has given so much to us all over the years, entertaining the nation, always warm & devoted to her fans & followers. She took me under her wing when I joined EE, said we had things in common both having been ‘naughty nurses’-our chance to give back (sic)"
Jo’s final comment urged people to donate to the Dementia Revolution campaign, from Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Several ‘EastEnders’ stars, including Jo’s former on-screen husband Jake Wood – who plays Max Branning – are running the London Marathon on Sunday (28.04.19) to raise money for the cause after the 81-year-old star was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014.
Jake also recently thanked Barbara for taking him under her wing ahead of his "daunting" ‘EastEnders’ debut.
He said: "I remember when I started on ‘EastEnders’ 12 years ago Barbara really took me under her wing. It’s very daunting starting on a show like ‘EastEnders’.
"It’s part of British life so as an actor you’re quite nervous coming in. I’ll always remember Barbara sort of giving me lots of advice and just making sure I was comfortable really. So she’s always been a really good friend to me."
Jo Joyner thanks Barbara Windsor for early EastEnders help
