Dame Barbara Windsor ‘s widower Scott Mitchell has spoken about how he was deeply hurt by the backlash he received over his relationship with EastEnders star Tanya Franks
Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell has candidly admitted he was “really hurt” by the reaction he faced after going public with his relationship with EastEnders actress Tanya Franks.
The 62-year-old agent confirmed the romance last year after the pair grew close while campaigning together to raise awareness for dementia — a cause deeply personal to both of them following Barbara’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Scott became Barbara’s carer in 2014 when she fell ill with the disease and the pair were married for 20 years before her death in 2020 aged 83 (pictured)
Tanya, 58, best known for playing Rainie Cross on the BBC soap, had worked alongside Barbara on EastEnders before the iconic actress’s health began to decline.
From Full-Time Carer to Public Scrutiny
Scott became Barbara’s full-time carer in 2014 as her illness progressed. The couple had been married for 20 years before her death in 2020 at the age of 83.
Now, for the first time, Scott has opened up about the criticism he received after finding love again.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said:
“There’s always that person who says, ‘That was quick’. It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and cast judgement — especially with social media. These people forget that their words can really hurt.”
‘She Lets Me Talk About Barbara Anytime’
Scott revealed that Tanya has been completely supportive of his grief, especially as she herself lost her stepfather Derek to Alzheimer’s in 2024 after an 11-year battle.
He explained:
“She allows me to talk about Barbara any time I need to. In the same way she can with me. I’m never second-guessing if the moment’s right. If I thought any of it hurt her, I wouldn’t do it.”
Scott also shared his belief that Barbara herself would have approved of the relationship, adding that she had ‘liked’ Tanya.
Christmas Will Still Be About Remembrance
The couple plan to spend Christmas together with their families, but Scott added that it will still be a time of reflection:
“We’ll be remembering our loved ones — as it should be.”
Their bond was built during their work with ‘Bab’s Army’, the charity set up in Barbara’s name to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research.
The Memory That Still Haunts Him
Elsewhere in the emotional interview, Scott spoke with heartbreaking honesty about the darkest moments of Barbara’s illness.
“I wish I never had to experience the terror in Barbara’s eyes, when she didn’t know where she was, who I was — who she was. That haunts me.”
He added:
“No human being should have to leave this world the way those suffering with dementia do. Nobody. That’s why we have to keep talking about it.”
Tanya’s Promise to Protect Barbara’s Legacy
Tanya has also previously spoken about supporting Scott and protecting Barbara’s legacy, explaining how isolating caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can feel.
She said:
“You often feel alone in it when you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Communication allows the support system to grow.”
She added that Barbara’s legacy now extends far beyond television, with hundreds of thousands of pounds raised through charity marathons and campaigns.
This year, Tanya even ran the London Marathon for Bab’s Army, later sharing a tribute to Barbara on social media.
‘Life Is for the Living’
Despite the pain, Scott insists he has no regrets about moving forward.
“I’m incredibly happy. Me being unhappy and alone is not going to bring Barbara back,” he said.
“Life is very much for the living and we all get one shot at living. Of course, there’s always someone online who will say, ‘Oh, it didn’t take him long’.”
