UK national treasure and legendary actress Dame Barbara Windsor has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease her devoted husband has revealed to The Sun newspaper.
The former EastEnders veteran and Carry On legend has been secretly battling the degenerative brain disease behind closed doors for four years, but now her husband Scott Mitchell has chosen to speak out over fears she’ll be judged when they’re out together.
Revealing the moment the 80-year-old actress, who also starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, found out the devastating news, Scott, 55, told The Sun: “When the doctor told us, she began crying then held it back, stretched her hand out to me and mouthed, ‘I’m so sorry…’ I squeezed her hand back and said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be OK’.”
Barbara famously played landlady Peggy Mitchell in UK soap EastEnders, which aired in Australia on the ABC from 1987 to 1991. She’s also a well known name right across the world, having begun her career on stage in 1950 at the age of 13, before going on to star in the Carry On films.
Revealing his fear that his wife will be judged for her changing appearance in public, Scott added: “Rather than me living in fear she might get confused or upset, they’ll know that if her behaviour seems strange, it’s due to Alzheimer’s and accept it for what it is.”
The couple first grew concerned when Barbara began to suffer memory loss and confusion. While she had always prided herself on her memory, and told people to call her with questions on her TV shows, she began to struggle to learn lines.
Doctors carried out a brain scan and mental agility tests, before diagnosing her with the progressive disease, which can affect multiple brain functions including memory.
Globally, as many as 44 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia. It typically impacts one in 10 people over the age of 65, although that number increases to one in three for people over 85.
Scott admitted to the newspaper that his wife’s disease had become more difficult to hide since she turned 80 last year. While he’s managed to keep it secret until now, despite “rumours” about the actress, he’s admitted he can “no longer protect her”.
He said, while she’s begun to struggle more recently, Barbara still enjoys walks with her friends, and loves to laugh. He insisted going out is good for her, so he doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable being around people. The devoted husband said, while she gave her blessing for him to speak out, she often forgets – and he hopes she won’t blame him for doing it one day.
Scott credited the huge numbers of people who love Barbara, and added: “I hope speaking out will help other families dealing with loved ones who have this cruel disease.”