Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell has taken on a new role as he continues his campaign in the fight against dementia.

Barbara, known for her portrayal of Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, died from Alzheimer’s Disease in 2020 at the age of 83. 

Scott, 61, will become the People’s Champion of the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission.

The charity was set up in 2021 by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson in memory of the actress, who also acted in the Carry On film series.

It is asking for volunteers to sign up to join ‘Babs’ Army’ and help people diagnosed with dementia and their families.

Scott, 61, will become the People’s Champion of the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission, set up in 2021 by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Barbara, known for her portrayal of Peggy Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders, died in 2020 at the age of 83

Scott began caring for Barbara in 2014 when she fell ill with the condition. He told The Sun why his new role as People’s Champion of her charity would have meant so much to Barbara

Scott began caring for Barbara in 2014 when she fell ill with the condition. He told The Sun why his new role would have meant so much to Barbara.

He said: ‘I will never stop being proud of the courage, dignity and generosity Barbara showed in trying to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease for as long as she could, while dealing with her own illness.

‘She gave a voice to millions affected by this terrible disease and we were told that her speaking out changed the whole conversation around dementia.

‘I know how proud she would have been when, almost two years ago, we launched the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission in her memory … but until we find a cure, there is still so much more for us to do.’

Experts predict that the number of sufferers dementia in the UK will increase from the current figure of 944,000 to over a million by 2025. 

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour. 

There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society 

Since Barbara’s death, Scott has moved on with ‘wonderful’ fellow EastEnders actress Tanya Franks who portrayed Rainie Cross in the soap.

The couple had forged a close friendship over the years as they worked together with the charity and Bab’s Army.

Scott told Kaye Adams on her How To Be 60 podcast he is ‘very happy’ in his new relationship with Tanya, 56, someone who is ‘very understanding’. 

He said: ‘She’s a wonderful lady who knew Barbara. It can’t be easy to be with someone who was the other half of Barbara Windsor, especially the fact that I still put myself out there and talk about her. 

‘So, it says to me the type of person that Tanya is, that she can deal with that.  She’s very sure of herself as a person. Just because you’re not with someone for whatever reason, it doesn’t mean to say that you just switch off some valve of love.’

Scott was Barbara’s third husband, and they married in 2000. 

Since Barbara’s death, Scott has moved on with ‘wonderful’ fellow EastEnders actress Tanya Franks who portrayed Rainie Cross in the soap