Barbara Windsor health update: EastEnders star's condition worsens as spouse gets help

Dame Barbara Windsor, 81, who is best known for her role as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap EastEnders, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014. Now her husband, Scott Mitchell, 55, has opened up about her health, as he admitted he felt “guilt” for leaving her. Speaking to The Sun, he revealed he has carers to help look after the actress so he can get some rest. He told the publication: “I used to feel very guilty about leaving her, so I could be stuck in the house for two or three days.

“When I did first have carers in I still felt a sense of guilt.

“But I also realised it is so important for me to have that little bit of rest from the situation — otherwise you can’t keep strong. You need to keep strong for the other person.”

The star’s husband previously spoke with Express.co.uk and revealed the struggles Dame Barbara has faced since her diagnosis.

Scott said: “I can’t leave Barbara by herself anymore. Life has changed drastically for her and of course that reflects on our whole life together. It’s really been overwhelming.

“[At the time] Barbara wasn’t really talking about it or accepting it which is a common thing for people living with Alzheimers.”

Scott revealed the disease can have an isolating impact but admitted their circle of friends have been “incredible”.

He continued: “Friends have been just incredible. Lots of people visit the house, they come round. She feels she’s not forgotten.

“She does spend a lot of time at home. You can feel quite alone, I guess.”

Scott is currently preparing to join Dame Barbara’s former EastEnders co-stars as they prepare for the London Marathon in support of their dementia campaign.

Stars including Jake Wood, Adam Woodyatt and Natalie Cassidy are among those taking part to raise money for their campaign, the Dementia Revolution.

They hope to raise £100,000 to help fund the ground-breaking research into dementia as as well as to raise awareness of the condition.

Ahead of the London Marathon which kicks off in April, Scott has revealed Dame Barbara played an instrumental part in the campaign and has enjoyed taking part.

He said: “She realises she doesn’t work anymore. She loves doing things.

“That’s why she enjoys doing things like the video for the Dementia Revolution which she did.

“She enjoyed that because it was a bit of her old life. We get the make-up artist in, we get the cameras out and she gets involved.

“She even starts changing the key words around. ‘Ooh it will be better if I say this’.”

source: express.co.uk