Much-loved EastEnders and Carry On star Dame Barbara Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease back in 2014. Whilst she had already left EastEnders after finding it a struggle to remember her lines, the actress returned to give her character Peggy Mitchell an emotional send-off in 2015.
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Since then, she has mostly stayed out of the spotlight and has been looked after by husband and former actor Scott Mitchell, 56, whom she has been married to since 2000. Sadly, Scott has revealed that Babs' condition has worsened in the last four years, saying: 'From the forgetfulness at first where she could still function, to losing her confidence… we’re now at a stage where Barbara can’t be left alone.'
Nevertheless, Barbara still enjoys reminiscing about her successful acting career, often singing songs from the Carry On films or being cheered up by the EastEnders theme tune. In a touching tribute, EastEnders producers have left a picture of Peggy up behind the bar on the Queen Vic set - something that Scott says Barbara 'absolutely loves'.
On Saturday 28th April, Scott will run the London Marathon for Dementia Revolution alongside eight of Dame Barbara's former EastEnders co-stars: Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale), Jake Wood (Max Branning), Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell), Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler), Kellie Shirley (Carly Wicks), Tanya Franks (Rainie Branning), Jamie Borthwick (Jay Brown) and Jane Slaughter (Tracey). The team have so far raised 91% of their £100,000 target.
Take a look at the video above for more.
Image: Getty