Barbara Windsor, a renowned TV performer, died over five years ago, and her husband has now spoken up about falling in love with another EastEnders star.
Windsor was unfortunately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, and her husband, Scott Mitchell, cared for her for six years before she died in 2020 at the age of 83.
Windsor was most remembered for her role as Peggy Mitchell in the long-running serial, with the iconic statement ‘Get out of my pub’ still being uttered today.
Despite drawing attention to their 26-year age difference when she first married Mitchell in 2000, the couple remained together for nearly 20 years, and Mitchell admitted in the interview that he still struggles to sleep in the years after her death.
In an exclusive interview with the Mirror, he stated, “I’m incredibly proud of the woman she was and the legacy she’s left.
“I usually joke, ‘She won’t simply be known for a bra blowing off in Carry On Camping or for ordering people to leave her bar.
“There is a new legacy for Barbara Windsor. This new legacy involves supporting individuals affected by dementia, which is truly essential.
The 62-year-old, who also works as an actor, has revealed that he has found love again with Tanya Franks, who portrays Rainie Cross in EastEnders.
Frank lost her stepfather to Alzheimer’s, and her friendship with Mitchell grew as they ran marathons together to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research, which eventually led to something more.
Mitchell had previously stated on This Morning, “I’m very fortunate to have a partner who doesn’t make me feel bad about talking about my late wife or keeping this memory alive of working together because we’re both equally passionate about it.”
He told the Mirror, “I’m really thrilled. My being sad and alone will not bring Barbara back.
“Life is very much for the living, and we all get one chance to live. Of course, there is always someone on the internet who will comment, ‘Oh, that didn’t take him long.’
“Well, maybe people forget that Barbara’s disease began 10 years before her death, so you’re mourning while they’re still living. You lose them while they are living. I didn’t feel awful since I knew I had Barbara’s approval because of what she’d always told me.
“Tanya is a beautiful woman. She’s quite private. She’s not like Barbara in that regard. Barbara was completely transparent.
“Barbara shared every detail of her life with you.” Tanya has no interest in celebrities. She is an excellent actor. She is now performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon in Much Ado About Nothing.
“I do not compare the two females. They are really different, and I adore both of them. I wouldn’t be with somebody who wasn’t gorgeous.”