Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell, 61, explains how ‘amazing’ romance with Tanya Franks is the ‘opposite of what dementia is’ – after soap star died from the disease aged 83

Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and his new partner Tanya Franks spoke about their romance on Monday’s episode of Lorraine.

In the wake of losing his wife of 20 years in December 202083 years old, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Scott, 61, explained how his “incredible friendship” with Tanya, 56, turned into a romance.

Speaking to presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, he said: ‘We have built an incredible friendship over the last four years and something wonderful has come from it…

‘The exact opposite of what dementia is. I’m lucky that I have a partner who doesn’t mind me talking about my late wife.’

Scott and Tanya have built a close friendship over the years while working together to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease with “Bab’s Army.”

Scott’s wife of 20 years, Dame Barbara, died in December 2020, aged 83, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease (photo 2011)

Tanya was close to Barbara and ran the London Marathon this year as part of Bab’s Army. When Barbara passed away, she shared this photo alongside a tribute on Instagram

Alzheimer’s disease is close to Tanya’s heart as she takes part in the London Marathon as part of Bab’s Army for her stepdad Derek.

Tanya, who knew EastEnders star Barbara and played drug-addicted prostitute Rainie Cross in the soap, admitted she could do ‘nothing but support Scott’ when discussing Barbara’s struggles and his work caring for the TV icon.

Tanya said: ‘There’s nothing I can do but support him by talking about it. You often feel alone when you care for someone with Alzheimer’s…

“The communication allowed the support system to grow. Barbara is as much about the legacy of Alzheimer’s as it is about me and my stepfather. It is hundreds of thousands that we have raised by doing the three marathons.’

Scott reiterated: ‘If anyone wants to give a million pounds for next year’s marathon, a big company or a big sponsor, I will do another marathon and shave my hair off too, and that’s the big one, shaving my hair off.’

“I don’t want people to go through the final stages of what I went through with Barbara.”

In January, Scott described Tanya as “amazing” because she “understands” that Barbara will “always have a place in my heart.”

Scott told Kaye Adams about her How to Turn 60 podcast he is “very happy” in his new relationship, with someone who is “very understanding.”

Barbara and Scott married in 2000 and their romance was controversial at the time due to their 27 year age difference (pictured in 2000)

Tanya played crack cocaine addict as Rainie Cross in the BBC soap, where her storyline followed her and Barbara’s on-screen son, Phil Mitchell

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

“So it says to me about the type of person Tanya is that she can handle that. She is very sure of herself as a person. Just because you’re not with someone for whatever reason doesn’t mean you’re just turning off a valve of love.’

Before her relationship with Scott, Tanya was married to fellow actor James Barriscale, with whom she founded the film and theater production company Stock-pot Productions.

He played Jonathan Malnet, Jade Green’s adoptive father in the soap. Scott said his love for Barbara will always have a place in his heart.

He said, ‘Maybe I turn on the TV and suddenly she’s there and it takes my breath away sometimes because I don’t expect it.’

Scott said he began mourning Barbara on the day of her diagnosis and believes the actress would have given him and Tanya her blessing.

Barbara played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders [pictured with her sons Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Phil (Steve McFadden) in 2016]