Former EastEnders star Rita Simonds says she was encouraged to see Dame Barbara Windsor maintaining her infamous ‘cheeky’ spirit during a recent visit to the Alzheimer’s stricken star.
Rita, 43, played Roxy Mitchell - the niece of iconic Peggy Mitchell - for a decade between 2007 and 2017 where she formed a strong bond with 82-year-old acting legend Barbara.
The actress said that she has been saddened to see her friend and former colleague deteriorate since she announced she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2018.
Opening up to The Sun on Sunday’s Fabulous Magazine, Rita said that it can be tough to visit Barbara - but has been encouraged to see the star maintaining her jovial personality.
“I went to see her the other day,” Rita explained.
“She remembered me and I was pleased because Scott her husband had said: ‘If she doesn’t recognise you, please don’t be offended.’ I’ve always known Barbara as the funniest, sharpest, wittiest, life and soul,” she continued.
“She’s still got that funny, cheeky spark, but it’s hard to visit her,” Rita added.
Barbara’s husband, 56-year-old Scott Mitchell, revealed in 2018 that the actress had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease four years previously.
He has detailed the agony of seeing his wife struggle to recall details of her own life and to identify long term friends and family.
He told the Sunday Mirror in January that the actress "still has the most wonderful sense of humour" and "we can still make each other laugh".
But he said: "I've definitely seen a progression in the last year. Barbara's symptoms have deepened, especially where her confusion is concerned.
"Constantly, she does not realise where we are, even in the house. She will ask me, ‘When are we going home?’" he continued.
"It's heartbreaking. They are very difficult situations to be faced with," he added.
