Barbara Windsor has Alzheimer's disease, husband reveals

One of Britain’s favourite television personalities, Dame Barbara Windsor, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, her husband has revealed.

Scott Mitchell said Windsor, 80, known for her prominent roles in EastEnders and the Carry On films, had kept the news secret since they were first told four years ago, but her symptoms had grown worse in recent weeks.

In an interview with the Sun, Mitchell said he wanted to set the record straight because rumours had been circulating about his wife’s deteriorating health.

“Since her 80th birthday last August, a definite continual confusion has set in, so it’s becoming a lot more difficult for us to hide,” he said. “I’m doing this because I want us to be able to go out and, if something isn’t quite right, it will be OK because people will now know that she has Alzheimer’s and will accept it for what it is.”

Windsor, who is famous for her roles in nine Carry On films and as the pub landlord Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, was given the diagnosis in 2014. After shedding some tears, her first words were “I’m so sorry”, Mitchell said.

A small circle of friends who had begun to notice her occasional confusion were told shortly after her diagnosis, but Mitchell said he had prevented the news from going public because Windsor was struggling to come to terms with it.

Mitchell said he had first noticed symptoms of the condition in 2009, just before Windsor left EastEnders for the first time when she began having difficulty learning her lines.

She underwent a series of mental agility tests, a brain scan and a lumbar puncture before the couple’s fears were confirmed. By 2016 her forgetfulness and confusion were getting worse and it was agreed she would leave EastEnders for good, he said. She has now retired from charity work as well as acting.

Tim Parry, the director of Alzheimer’s Research UK, praised the decision to go public. “Alzheimer’s is the most common disease behind dementia, accounting for around two-thirds of cases of the condition in older people,” he said.

Ross Kemp, who played Windsor’s on-screen son Grant in EastEnders, tweeted: “Very proud of Scott and Barbara for speaking openly about Barbara’s diagnosis. I hope by talking openly it will make it easier for others to talk about this dreadful disease. I love both Barbara and Scott very much.”

Others also wrote messages of support. The TV presenter Gaby Roslin said: “My beautiful dear friend Dame Barbara Windsor is an amazing woman and I will love her and wonderful Scott for ever. We’ve been friends for so many years and they are strong and brave together.”