Barbara Windsor’s widower has spoken about finding love again with EastEnders star Tanya Franks.
Scott Mitchell, 61, and Tanya, 56, who played drug-addicted prostitute Rainie Cross in the soap, made their relationship official in June last year.
In a new interview, Scott described Tanya as “amazing” because she “understands” that Barbara will “always have a place in my heart.”
Scott’s wife of 20 years, Dame Barbara, died in December 2020, aged 83, after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Scott and Tanya, who also knew the actress, forged a close friendship over the years while working together to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease with “Bab’s Army.”
Barbara Windsor’s widower has spoken about finding love again with EastEnders star Tanya Franks. Scott Mitchell, 61, and Tanya, 56, made their relationship official last June
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)
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.
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.”
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.
“I might turn on the TV and suddenly she’s there and sometimes it takes my breath away because I don’t expect it,” he said.
Scott said he began mourning Barbara on the day of her diagnosis and believes the actress would have given him and Tanya her blessing.
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
Barbara played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders (pictured with her sons Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Phil (Steve McFadden) in 2016)
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
Barbara and Scott married in 2000 and their romance was controversial at the time due to their 27-year age difference (pictured in 2000)
‘How long can I grieve? “I know (Barbara) wanted me to be happy, I know I deserve to be happy,” he said.
“It doesn’t take away from what we shared. Our whole life goes by very quickly and we can let ourselves be held back by worrying about what others might say. You just have to live your life.’
The actor says that to this day he still remembers the first time Barbara asked him, confused, “Who are you?” as her battle with Alzheimer’s disease progressed.
Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and kept her battle with the disease private for four years.
“I remember wanting to scream and screaming in my head, ‘For God’s sake, make this stop,’” Scott said.
“Sometimes I wanted to run out the door and never stop running. But there’s no way I would have done that, because I cared about this lady so much and loved her, and it wasn’t her fault what happened.”
Barbara and Scott married in 2000 and their romance was controversial at the time due to their 27-year age difference. Scott also struggled with cocaine and alcohol addiction.
He said: ‘I’ve been through some really tough times. I had a drinking problem and a drug problem – I had to sober up twice.
‘I won’t say it was due to the relationship, but there was certainly enormous pressure on me.’
Scott said he felt like he had to “cut it half-heartedly” before going to an event with Barbara to shut out the “eye-rolling and snickering.”
He said: ‘It did have an influence on me. If I was sloshed it wouldn’t affect me, but I’m happy to say I just turned 22 years sober and clean.”
Scott said he will visit Barbara’s grave and still feel her presence.
“I know she would be happy to know that I am happy now and feel more settled,” he said.