Scott Mitchell, the devoted widower of Dame Barbara Windsor, continues to live in the long shadow cast by grief—even as he moves forward with a new relationship. More than three years after the iconic actress’s death from Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, Mitchell remains candid about the terror that still grips him in the quiet moments.
“I still wake in terror,” he revealed in an emotional interview. “I still have moments—this morning I was quite emotional—where I just miss her. That doesn’t change. I think it will be with me forever.”
But life, as Mitchell knows all too well, doesn’t wait for grief to finish its course. Today, he finds comfort and companionship in Tanya Franks, Barbara’s former EastEnders co-star. The pair went public with their relationship in 2023 after bonding over shared experiences of caring for loved ones with dementia.
The Beginnings of a New Chapter
From Advocacy to Affection
Scott and Tanya first crossed paths years ago through EastEnders, the BBC soap opera where Barbara Windsor famously portrayed the formidable Peggy Mitchell and Tanya played troubled character Rainie Cross. But it was offscreen where their connection deepened.
Their shared commitment to dementia awareness brought them together. Scott had become a high-profile campaigner following Barbara’s diagnosis and passing, while Tanya had experienced a similar journey watching her stepfather Derek battle Alzheimer’s. The two joined forces, most notably through marathons and fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Society.
“We forged an incredible friendship over the four years and something wonderful blossomed out of it,” Scott said during a joint appearance on This Morning. “The exact opposite of what dementia is.”
For both, their shared mission became a form of therapy—a way to cope with their respective pain and to ensure that those who suffered weren’t forgotten. Out of that shared understanding and advocacy, love naturally evolved.
Public Scrutiny and Private Pain
Grief Doesn’t Follow a Timetable
Though their relationship has garnered widespread support, not everyone has responded with compassion. Some have accused Scott of moving on too quickly—a notion he firmly rejects.
“There was a bit of, ‘Oh he’s moved on too fast.’ And you just think, ‘How dare you?’” he said. “People don’t know the pain. They don’t know what the grief has been.”
His frustration is understandable. For those who have never lost a long-term partner, the idea of finding love again can seem like betrayal. But for Scott, it’s not about forgetting Barbara—it’s about honoring her memory while allowing life to continue.
“I would like to believe she would be happy that someone was there by my side and that I wasn’t on my own. She always used to say to me, ‘I never want you to be on your own.’”
These words have become an emotional anchor for Scott—reassurance from the past that allows him to embrace the future.
Tanya Franks: Partner, Advocate, and Ally
A Shared Journey Through Alzheimer’s
Tanya has brought more than love into Scott’s life; she has brought empathy. Having experienced her own family member’s descent into Alzheimer’s, she understands what Scott endured and the toll it takes—not just on the afflicted but on those who care for them.
“You often feel alone in it when you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s,” she told This Morning. “The communication allowed the support system to grow.”
Her partnership with Scott is rooted not in escapism but in mutual healing. It’s a relationship that pays tribute to the people they’ve lost while giving them the courage to keep going.
Barbara’s legacy is never far from Tanya’s mind either. She described their work together as honoring both Barbara and her stepfather, saying: “Barbara is as much about the legacy of Alzheimer’s as it is me going through it with my step father.”
Together, the couple has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for dementia research—an accomplishment that reflects both their passion and their pain.
Dame Barbara Windsor: A Life That Touched Millions
The Final Years of a National Treasure
Barbara Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, though the news was kept private until 2018. Scott stood by her side as her health declined, eventually becoming her full-time caregiver. She passed away in December 2020 at the age of 83.
Her death marked the end of an era. Beloved for her work in the Carry On films and later EastEnders, Barbara was more than just a TV personality—she was a cultural icon. But behind the public persona was a woman who fiercely loved her husband and feared what would become of him after she was gone.
“She always used to say, ‘I never want you to be on your own,’” Scott recalled. It’s a sentiment that still brings him comfort—and one that he believes would have made her supportive of his new relationship.
Carrying Barbara’s Memory Forward
Even in the midst of new love, Scott refuses to let go of Barbara’s memory. “I don’t think anyone ever gets over a loss of someone they love so deeply,” he said. “I think we find ways of carrying them with us, and that’s what I try to do every day.”
He speaks about Barbara with the same reverence and tenderness as he did when she was alive. His relationship with Tanya, rather than replacing Barbara’s memory, exists alongside it—an evolution of grief rather than an end to it.
Facing the Future Together
Marathons, Fundraising, and a Bold Promise
Both Scott and Tanya continue to use their platform to advocate for Alzheimer’s awareness and research. Over the years, Scott has completed multiple marathons, often raising substantial funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.
In a recent appearance, he even offered a cheeky challenge to sponsors: “If for next year’s marathon someone would like to give a million pounds, a big company or sponsor, I will do another marathon and shave my hair off as well, and that is the big one—shaving my hair off.”
The lighthearted nature of the remark doesn’t undercut its seriousness. Scott’s willingness to continue campaigning, even amid his personal journey, speaks volumes about his dedication.
Love, Legacy, and Letting In the Light
There’s a delicate balance to moving forward after loss. Some find solace in solitude; others find it in new relationships. For Scott Mitchell, the key has been embracing both the memory of Barbara Windsor and the reality of a new life with Tanya Franks.
Their relationship isn’t about replacing Barbara, nor is it a rejection of the past. It’s an acknowledgment that love can be complicated—that grief doesn’t end, but it can soften when shared.
What Scott and Tanya have built is rooted in resilience and understanding. In choosing to be open about their relationship, they’ve offered a powerful example of what it looks like to love again after loss—and to do so with dignity.
The Public Response and Personal Reflections
Navigating Love in the Public Eye
Being in the public eye adds another layer of complexity to Scott and Tanya’s relationship. They’re not just two people falling in love—they’re two people navigating that love under a microscope.
Scott’s openness about his feelings—both for Barbara and for Tanya—has been met with admiration, but also judgment. He’s not shy about defending himself against those who think he moved on too quickly.
“People don’t know the pain,” he insisted. “They don’t know what the grief has been.”
Tanya, too, has handled the scrutiny with grace. Her background in both acting and advocacy has helped her manage the pressure, but it’s her empathy that has proven most essential in their relationship.
A Message to Those Who Mourn
Scott’s story serves as a powerful message to anyone navigating the stormy seas of grief. There is no right or wrong timeline for healing. Love can come again, and when it does, it doesn’t diminish what came before.
In many ways, his journey is a roadmap for how to live after loss—with honesty, vulnerability, and a commitment to honoring the past while embracing the future.
Conclusion
Scott Mitchell’s relationship with Tanya Franks is more than a tabloid headline—it’s a testament to the enduring nature of love, the complexity of grief, and the power of advocacy. Even in his most vulnerable moments, Scott continues to channel his pain into purpose, ensuring that Barbara Windsor’s legacy lives on not just in memories but in action.
He and Tanya stand as a symbol of resilience—a reminder that healing is possible, even when the scars are deep. And as they continue their work with the Alzheimer’s Society, they prove that love, in all its forms, remains the most powerful force of all.
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