I WAS so thrilled to finally catch up with the wonderful Barbara Windsor in 1988, when she came to the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club for a J24 class sailing championship, in the company of fellow actor Gareth Hunt.

Those were the days when you could approach the stars in person and not have to worry about agents, managements and minders.

I was not surprised to find them both so approachable.

Barbara was such wonderful company and quickly commented how relieved she was to find a journalist who wanted to talk about her career and not her private life.

Isle of Wight County Press: Barbara Windsor, a huge star in the Carry On film series, during the early part of her acting career. Photo: PA Barbara Windsor, a huge star in the Carry On film series, during the early part of her acting career. Photo: PA

At that time, she revealed how frightened she was to even open newspapers.

She told me: "The national tabloids have tried to make me a personality, which I rather resent. I've not been able to get on with my job and I'm a working actress.

"Suddenly, they weren't writing about my acting, just my private life. This is still with me and I don't like it very much."

At that time, her many fans had remained loyal and she found that such a comfort.

I love the story she told me about being discovered by big-time impresario, Bryan Michie, at a charity concert given by her convent school.

She was in her teens at the time.

"He said I'd got something — and I didn't have the boobs in those days," quipped Barbara.

During our conversation, I realised Barbara wanted to be known for far more than the Carry On movies.

"Most people seem to associate me with the Carry On films, but really they have played only a minor part in my career. That's the power of television.

Isle of Wight County Press: Barbara Windsor as Cockney licensee Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders Photo: PABarbara Windsor as Cockney licensee Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders Photo: PA

"They have been cut up and used in so many programmes."

During our interview, Barbara revealed she had never liked being part of a team. She had been happier on her own — but times were changing.

"Now I'm older, I'd rather like to be a part of a team. As you get older, your confidence goes and you need familiar faces around you," Barbara added.

"It would be nice to be in a soap and see the same faces every Monday morning."

Isle of Wight County Press: Barbara Windsor at Buckingham Palace.Barbara Windsor at Buckingham Palace.

Of course, that wish finally came true six years later, in 1994, when she joined the cast of EastEnders and her career took off in a new direction.

The last time I met Barbara was at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, in June 2009, for the memorial service to celebrate the life of Jack Douglas.

Jack, who spent the last years of his life on the Island, was both a friend and fan of Barbara.

He had enjoyed working with her — and knowing her socially.

In our brief conversation, I asked Barbara if we could do an interview in memory of Jack, sometime in the future.

I wrote to her a little while afterwards, but sadly this never happened.

Isle of Wight County Press: Barbara Windsor.Barbara Windsor.

EastEnders actors were not allowed to do many interviews and their workload also made it difficult.

She did ring me on one occasion to say my letter was hung on her kitchen wall and she was still hoping to do our interview.

I knew she was such a caring person.

I still treasure the memory of that Cowes interview and how kind Barbara was to me on a busy day.

Like millions of others, I was saddened at the news of her recent death.