Ananova:

Barbara Windsor says she is gobsmacked to have been honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

The 66-year-old, who is currently taking a break from her role in EastEnders due to illness, was presented with the gong at the Women in Film and Television Awards.

She said: "I am just gobsmacked, I did not know the ceremony was going to be like this. There all these famous faces like Colin Firth and Julie Walters - I am a bit in awe but it is lovely."

She was given the Working Title Film Lifetime Achievement Award by her former co-star, Ross Kemp. The ceremony, held at London's Hilton Hotel, was hosted by comedian Jenny Eclair.

Windsor has spent 53 years in showbusiness. The former Carry On star was accompanied at the event by her husband, Scott Harvey.

Windsor is still forced to walk with the aid of crutches. She was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus in March this year and subsequently fell down the stairs, and broke her ankle.

She said: "I left EastEnders last year to have a year off and do what I wanted to do. I never had that year off because I was in a car accident that led to my debilitating illness.

"I just lay in bed - it wasn't very nice. Just as I was turning the corner, I fell down the stairs and broke my ankle so I just wanted to forget 2003. But to get this award is really great."

Windsor said she did not know when she would return to EastEnders, but hoped to do so by late next year.