Barbara Windor’s husband of 20 years, Scott Mitchell, has said that caring for the star in her final years was “the most challenging thing” he’d done in his life. Speaking almost a year after the Eastenders actress’ death, Scott, 58, reflected on the time he spent with his other half before her devastating death last December at the age of 83.
Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzeheimer’s disease in 2014.
After talking to medical professionals, Scott revealed that he was told to let Barbara carry on working for as long as she could.
He said: “The advice given to me at the time was to let her continue as long as she can.”
The star eventually left her role as Peggy Mitchell on the BBC show in May 2016.
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Speaking about caring for his wife, Scott said: “I think it’s no secret that caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is a very challenging thing.
“The most challenging thing I’ve ever been through in my life.
“You don’t want to have to hide that person away,” he added, before going on to say he didn’t want to feel a sense of “shame” about the situation.
Scott went on to say he felt a great deal of stigma attached to the condition, affecting people’s ability to discuss the issue.
This weekend, Scott is raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK by running the London Marathon in Barbara’s memory.
He previously completed the 26.2 mile run in 2019, revealing that he called his late wife to celebrate his achievement.
After the star asked her husband what time he’d be home, Scott laughed and added: “[She didn’t grasp] the enormity of what I felt I’d done on my 56th birthday”.
“How I wish I could make that call again, but it’s not to be this year,” Scott told the BBC.