Scott Mitchell, the widower of Dame Barbara Windsor, has defended his relationship with former EastEnders actress Tanya Franks following criticism on social media.
The 62-year-old has been in a relationship with Franks, who played Rainie Cross in the BBC soap, for two years since the death of his wife in December 2020.
The couple confirmed their romance in 2023 after reportedly meeting during training for the London Marathon. Mitchell has been vocal about having Windsor's blessing to find happiness again following her passing from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 83.
In a new interview, Mitchell addressed online critics who suggested he moved on too quickly after Barbara's death. "My being unhappy and alone is not going to bring Barbara back. Life is very much for the living and we all get one shot at living," he said.
Scott Mitchell and Barbara Windsor were together up until her death
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"Of course, there's always someone on the internet who's going to say, 'Oh, it didn't take him long.'"
Mitchell pointed out that many forget the reality of caring for someone with dementia. "Barbara's illness possibly started initially 10 years before she passed, so you're grieving while they're alive," he said.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Scott Mitchell (left) and Tanya Franks (right) have embarked on a relationship
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"You lose them while they're alive. I didn't feel guilty because I knew I had Barbara's blessing."
Mitchell described Franks, who is currently appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Much Ado About Nothing, as "a wonderful lady" who is "very private".
"She's not how Barbara was in that respect. Barbara was an open book. Barbara told you every detail about her life. Tanya has no interest in celebrity," he explained during the interview with the Mirror.
The 57-year-old actress appeared in EastEnders as Rainie Cross between 2007 and 2022, though not continuously.
Mitchell emphasised that he doesn't make comparisons between the two women in his life. "They're very different, and I have love for both of them. I wouldn't be with anyone who wasn't truly lovely."
Despite being together for 27 years, Mitchell revealed he still struggles with the aftermath of caring for Dame Barbara during her battle with Alzheimer's. The actress was diagnosed with the condition in 2014, six years before her death in December 2020.
Dame Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell pictured in 2019
PAMitchell continues to honour Dame Barbara's legacy through his work campaigning for dementia research.
He leads the government-backed Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme and has helped raise more than £250,000 through running three marathons.
"If Barbara's name can help generations in the future - by bringing awareness, or finding a cure one day, or bringing out treatments - then I will keep doing it," he said.
Scott Mitchell and Barbara Windsor in 2011
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Appointed People's Champion for the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission last year, Mitchell addressed scientists, NHS chiefs, and tech bosses at 10 Downing Street.
He is now hoping to meet with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to push for further action on dementia care and research.
