Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott reveals her dementia struggle

Barbara Windsor’s husband today spoke about her ‘heartbreaking’ battle with dementia and how she constantly suffers ‘horrible moments of confusion’.

Scott Mitchell said the 81-year-old could be laughing and enjoying a normal conversation before suddenly losing her train of thought and not knowing where she was.

He told Good Morning Britain: ‘There are horrible moments of confusion, which have become quite constant and are heartbreaking to watch. The evenings are always worse.’

Dame Barbara (seen with her husband Scott Mitchell) was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2014

Mr Mitchell said the acting legend found great comfort in his presence.

‘She knows who I am, and I’ve become quite a focal point,’ he said. ‘In the confused moments she’ll look at me and say that as long I can see you I know things are ok, even if she can’t place the house and other things.’

Dame Barbara, who is famous for her appearances in the Carry On films and for playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, was diagnosed with the degenerative disease in 2014.

The British icon began struggling with her memory not long before she left the long-running BBC soap, which she had appeared in, on and off since 1994.

Dame Barbara (pictured on April 3, 2019) who has worked in the showbusiness industry for more than 60 years, reportedly continues to watch EastEnders despite her memory suffering as a result of the degenerative disease

Dame Barbara (pictured on April 3, 2019) who has worked in the showbusiness industry for more than 60 years, reportedly continues to watch EastEnders despite her memory suffering as a result of the degenerative disease

Mr Mitchell, who first began to notice his wife’s struggle with her memory in 2010, revealed that she still loves to sit down and watch EastEnders and regularly accompanies him to the theatre.

‘She remembers she was on EastEnders, we sit and watch that the other day. She sometimes says that people won’t know me because I haven’t done any work.

‘When we go to the theatre she gets a lovely reception…’

Dame Barbara, who has been married three times, first met Scott when she was age 55 and he was 28.

He says she continues to enjoy a trip to the theatre and thinks back to her early days in show business.

The actress began her career at an early age, swapping her last name Ann Deeks for the stage name Windsor.

Boasting over 60 years in the industry, Barbara was honoured with a dame-hood from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2016.

She had previously met the Royal in 2001 during a tour of the EastEnders set.

Scott is running for the Dementia Revolution, a year-long campaign from 2 charities– Alzheimer’s Society & Alzheimer’s Research UK, as the official Charity of the Year for the London Marathon.

He will be joined by Barbara’s former co-stars, including Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood, Natalie Cassidy, Jamie Borthwick and Jane Slaughter, who’ve dubbed themselves Barbara’s Revolutionaries.

Mr Mitchell said the 81-year-old could be laughing and enjoying a normal conversation before suddenly losing her train of thought and not knowing where she was

Mr Mitchell said the 81-year-old could be laughing and enjoying a normal conversation before suddenly losing her train of thought and not knowing where she was

Barbara (pictured with the Queen at Buckingham Palace) received her damehood in 2016, after taking the stage name Windsor during her career

Barbara (pictured with the Queen at Buckingham Palace) received her damehood in 2016, after taking the stage name Windsor during her career

Barbara who appeared in EastEnders (pictured) on and off from 1994 onwards, discussed with producers her death when she discovered she was suffering from dementia

Barbara who appeared in EastEnders (pictured) on and off from 1994 onwards, discussed with producers her death when she discovered she was suffering from dementia 

So far, they have raised almost £80,000 and have publicly thanked Sir Elton John, David Furnish and The Elton John Foundation for donating £5,000 towards their cause.

Mr Mitchell told GMB he was excited about the race but sadly his wife would not be able to come along.

He said: ‘At the beginning I was really hoping that Barbara could come to the marathon, but I don’t think it’s the best thing. It could be overwhelming and everybody would want to give her a hug.

‘I thought it would be better for her wellbeing if she was at home that day.’

Last month Kellie Shirley, who will be joining Scott for the annual marathon, told the Sunday Express that Barbara could no longer remember her name.

She said: ‘…I feel for Barbara, she remembers so much about the past as clear as day yet she won’t remember my name.’

Scott hopes to set up plans so that Barbara can meet the runners at the finish line.

For more information: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Barbarasrevolutionaries 

Scott who has so far raised £79,346 is set to be joined by the likes of Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood, Natalie Cassidy, Jamie Borthwick and Jane Slaughter, who've dubbed themselves Barbara's Revolutionaries as they prepare to raise money by running the London Marathon on April 28th

Scott who has so far raised £79,346 is set to be joined by the likes of Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood, Natalie Cassidy, Jamie Borthwick and Jane Slaughter, who’ve dubbed themselves Barbara’s Revolutionaries as they prepare to raise money by running the London Marathon on April 28th

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN 

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain.

There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.

It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.

Source: Dementia UK 

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