Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell, 60, enjoys dinner date with EastEnders actress Tanya Franks, 55, after their blossoming romance was revealed

Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and EastEnders actress Tanya Franks enjoyed a romantic dinner in London on Saturday.

Scott’s wife of 27 years Dame Barbara passed away in December 2020, aged 83, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

And Scott, 60, and Tanya, 55, who played drug-addicted prostitute Rainie Cross on the soap, made their relationship official earlier this month while on holiday in Greece.

Scott looked smart in a black blazer and patterned shirt as the pair enjoyed a date night.

Meanwhile, Tanya showed herself glamorous in a black form-fitting dress and yellow heels.

Romance: Scott, 60, and Tanya, 55, who played drug-addicted prostitute Rainie Cross on the soap, made their relationship official earlier this month while on holiday in Greece

Scott and Tanya are in the early stages of dating and have forged a close friendship over the years as they teamed up to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease with “Bab’s Army.”

In 2019, Scott ran the London Marathon with Tanya and raised thousands of Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of Barbara.

Alzheimer’s disease is close to Tanya’s heart as she also walked in honor of her stepfather Derek.

Scott and Tanya ran the London Marathon together again this year with other EastEnders stars as part of Bab’s Army.

A source told The Sun that Scott is “really happy.” They said, ‘Scott has found love again with Tanya and is really happy. His and Barbara’s friends are delighted that he has found someone to share his life with.

“It’s quite early, but Scott is now cautiously looking to the future. They decided to update their wider circles while on vacation in Greece and everyone was over the moon.

“There’s so much friendship and respect between the two of them and they’re taking it easy.”

Scott and Tanya were photographed in each other’s company late last month as they attended the Ashley Brodin summer garden party luncheon.

Tanya has appeared in 382 episodes of EastEnders. She debuted as Rainie in 2007 and signed a full-time contract in 2018.

Her last appearance on the soap was in June last year.

During her seven-episode guest stint in 2010, the character even had an affair with Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, the on-screen son of Barbara. The duo crossed paths while Rainie sought crack cocaine from a drunken Phil.

The story was widely reported as “horrible” and “inappropriate,” with former star of the show Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, describing the storyline as “shocking.”

Looking good: Scott looked smart in a black blazer and patterned shirt as the pair enjoyed date night

Glam: Tanya looked glamorous in a black form-fitting dress and yellow heels

Beloved: Dame Barbara passed away in December 2020, aged 83, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease (2011 photo)

In addition to EastEnders, she has a slew of TV credits to her name, including Family Affairs, The Bill, Pulling and Broadchurch.

Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and kept her battle with the disease private for four years.

After her death, Scott said, “Her passing was due to Alzheimer’s/dementia and Barbara eventually passed away peacefully and I have spent the past seven days by her side.

“Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, smiles and affection for the many years of her love, joy, friendship and brightness she brought to all of our lives and the entertainment she provided to so many thousands of others throughout her career. has given. .

Barbara’s final weeks were typical of how she lived her life. Full of humour, drama and fighting spirit to the end.’

After her death, Scott said he thought he could never love again. Last year, he said heartbreakingly, “I was blessed to have crossed Barbara’s path.

“It shouldn’t have worked on paper, but it worked for us and I’m so thankful she chose me to share her life with because I don’t think I’ll ever find another.”

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 on the soap.

James also starred in The Bill. It is not known when the couple broke up.

Barbara and Scott got married in 2000 and their romance was controversial at the time due to their 27-year age difference.

While little is known about his dating life before meeting the iconic star, Scott has shed light on the intricacies of their romance amid rumors that they had “an open marriage.”

Get out of the pub! Barbara played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders (pictured with her sons Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Phil (Steve McFadden) in 2016)

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

He explained that their relationship was not a “closed book” and Barbara didn’t want her husband to “stop living his life to the fullest.” In the book he wrote: “Our relationship was not an open relationship, but it was not a closed book either…

“She’d always said sex was sex and love was love, and she didn’t like double standards, so she kept her reservations to herself and never asked me directly.”

Former cocaine addict Scott was supported by Barbara throughout his struggle, as she revealed in her autobiography: “I think I could have stopped Scott’s spiral of self-destruction if it hadn’t been for another yearning that transformed him from the wonderful man I loved into a sad, pitiful creature I barely recognized.

“I would look at him and think, I did nothing wrong and yet I managed to ruin this man’s life. Scott would see the tears in my eyes and promise to get on the wagon. But it never lasted more than three or four days and then he’d be on his way again.’

Eventually, Scott received treatment for his addiction under the guidance of Elton John’s manager John Reid and treatment from therapist Beechy Colclough.