Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell finds love three years after her death

Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell has found love three years on from her death with EastEnders actress Tanya Franks.  

EastEnders’ Peggy Mitchell and Carry On icon Dame Barbara died in December 2020, aged 83, following a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Scott, 60, and Tanya, 55, who played Raine Cross on the soap, made their relationship official earlier this month while on holiday in Greece. 

The recruitment consultant said: ‘Life feels really good right now and we are enjoying some special time together.’

Scott and Tanya are in the early stages of dating, having forged a close friendship over the years as they worked together to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s with ‘Bab’s Army’. 

Well loved: EastEnders’ Peggy Mitchell and Carry On icon Dame Barbara died in December 2020, aged 83, following a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease [pictured 2011] 

Soap star: Tanya has appeared in 382 episodes of EastEnders. She made her debut as Raine back in 2007 and signed a full-time contract in 2018. She left the show in 2022 

In 2019, Scott ran the London Marathon alongside Tanya and raised thousands Alzheimer’s Research UK in Barbara’s memory. 

Alzheimers is close to Tanya’s heart as she also ran in honour of her step-father Derek.

Scott and Tanya ran the London Marathon together again this year with fellow EastEnders stars as part of Bab’s Army. 

A source told The Sun, Scott is ‘truly happy’. They said: ‘Scott has found love again with Tanya and is truly happy.  His and Barbara’s friends are delighted he’s found someone to share his life with.

‘It’s fairly early days but Scott is cautiously now looking forward to the future. They made the decision to update their wider circles while on holiday in Greece and everyone was over the moon.

‘There is so much friendship and respect between them both and they’re taking things slowly.’

Scott and Tanya were pictured in each other’s company late last month as they attended the Ashley Brodin summer garden party lunch. 

Tanya has appeared in 382 episodes of EastEnders. She made her debut as Raine back in 2007 and signed a full-time contract in 2018. 

Her last appearance on the soap was in June last year.

Aside from EastEnders, she has a whole host of TV credits to her name including’ Family Affairs, The Bill, Pulling and Broadchurch.

Happiness: In 2019, Scott ran the London Marathon alongside Tanya and raised thousands Alzheimer’s Research UK in Barbara’s memory

Get out me pub! Barbara played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders [pictured with her boys Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Phil (Steve McFadden) in 2016] 

Exes: Tanya was married to fellow actor James Barriscale. He played Jonathan Malnet, the adoptive father of Jade Green on the soap (pictured in 2015) 

Kind: The actress had a close bond with Barbara and this year ran the London Marathon as part of Bab’s Army. When Barbara died she shared this photo on Instagram alongside a tribute

Meaning: Alzheimers is close to Tanya’s heart as she also ran in honour of her step-father Derek [picture with Scott this year] 

Tanya was married to fellow actor James Barriscale. He played Jonathan Malnet, the adoptive father of Jade Green on the soap. 

James also starred in The Bill. It is not known when the couple split. 

Barbara and Scott married in 2000 and their romance was controversial at the time due to their 27 year age gap.  

Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and kept her fight with the illness private for four years.

After her death, Scott said: ‘Her passing was from Alzheimer’s/dementia and Barbara eventually died peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.

‘Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, a smile and affection for the many years of her love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives and the entertainment she gave to so many thousands of others during her career.

‘Barbara’s final weeks were typical of how she lived her life. Full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end.’

After her death, Scott said he thought he would never be able to love again. 

He heartbreakingly said last year: ‘I was blessed to have crossed paths with Barbara. 

‘On paper, it shouldn’t have worked, but it did with us and I am so thankful that she chose me to share her life with because I don’t think I will ever find another.’