Dame Barbara Windsor ’s widower, Scott Mitchell, has spoken about his late wife’s illness in an emotional interview.
Scott, who enjoyed 27-years with the EastEnders legend before her sad passing, has shared some vital advice on how to cope with the ‘frightening’ Alzheimer’s disease that claimed Barbara’s life last December.
Speaking openly about his loss on Steph’s Packed Lunch, the 58-year-old described his late wife as a ‘forced to be reckoned with’.
In an exclusive film to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, Barbara’s grieving husband shared: “I spent 27 years of my life with Barbara and I’m a very lucky man for that.
“She was a very fun, kind, warm lady… Barbara may have only been four foot 10 and a half, but she was a force to be reckoned with.”
Scott went on to share how Barbara’s Alzheimers battle took over her life as she became ‘withdrawn’ and confused in the early stages.
“Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and she passed in 2020, December 10th,” he told.
“Barbara became a lot more withdrawn, for her, and then I realised that conversations were becoming repetitive so of course it’s an immensely confusing and frightening situation for the person living with it.
“And of course, for the carer, the most painful thing to watch is that you’re powerless against this thing.”
Scott’s emotional revelation comes after he recently confirmed that he’s in the midst of planning a memorial event for Dame Barbara next year.
Only 30 close friends were able to attend the Eastenders star’s funeral in January, due to Covid restrictions, where her on screen son Ross Kemp read a eulogy.
Due to the limited number of loved ones allowed at Barbara’s funeral, Scott is now planning a bigger event to celebrate her life.
The star - who is running a marathon this month for the Alzheimer’s Research UK following her death in December from the disease – told The Mirror: “I’m definitely getting something together for next year.
“I have to give myself time - it’s only been nine months since she passed. I’m still processing it.
“But there will be something next year. We’ll make sure all her friends who couldn’t be at the funeral can get together and remember her.”
If you would like to donate to the cause, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/damebarbara.
Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4 and All 4
