EastEnders legend Dame Barbara Windsor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

Dame Barbara Windsor

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

EastEnders star Dame Barbara Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014

Former EastEnders actress Dame Barbara Windsor has been living with Alzheimer's disease since April 2014, her husband has confirmed.

Barbara's 55-year-old husband Scott Mitchell confirmed the news to The Sun, admitting her symptoms have worsened since her 80th birthday in August last year. He revealed how a 'definite continual confusion' has set in, making Barbara's symptoms a lot harder to hide.

Check out: These INCREDIBLE throwback snaps from EastEnders stars

Gallery

EastEnders fans, youu2019ll LOVE these amazing throwback snaps from the stars of the soap

Jessie Wallace / Kat Moon's throwback photo1 of 13
CREDIT: [Jessie Wallace's Twitter](https://twitter.com/JessieWallaceUK)

Jessie Wallace / Kat Moon's throwback photo

JESSIE WALLACE - AKA KAT MOON

Jacqueline Jossa / Lauren Branning's throwback photo2 of 13
CREDIT: [Jacqueline Jossa's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jacjossa/)

Jacqueline Jossa / Lauren Branning's throwback photo

LAUREN BRANNING - AKA JACQUELINE JOSSA

Richard Blackwood / Vincent Hubbard's throwback3 of 13
CREDIT: [Richard Blackwood's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/9_KLD5j922/?hl=en)

Richard Blackwood / Vincent Hubbard's throwback

RICHARD BLACKWOOD - VINCENT HUBBARD

James Bye / Martin Fowler's throwback4 of 13
CREDIT: [James Bye's Twitter](https://twitter.com/jimmybye)

James Bye / Martin Fowler's throwback

JAMES BYE - AKA MARTIN FOWLER

Shona McGarty / Whitney Dean's throwback5 of 13
CREDIT: [Shona McGarty's Twitter](https://twitter.com/shonabm)

Shona McGarty / Whitney Dean's throwback

SHONA MCGARTY - AKA WHITNEY DEAN

Matt Di Angelo / Dean Wicks's throwback6 of 13
CREDIT: [Matt Di Angelo's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/mattdiangelo/)

Matt Di Angelo / Dean Wicks's throwback

MATT DI ANGEO - DEAN WICKS

Jamie Borthwick / Jay Brown's throwback7 of 13
CREDIT: [Jamie Borthwick's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jamie_b10/)

Jamie Borthwick / Jay Brown's throwback

JAMIE BORTHWICK - AKA JAY BROWN

Maddy Hill / Nancy Carter's throwback8 of 13
CREDIT: [Maddy Hill's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/maddyhill90/)

Maddy Hill / Nancy Carter's throwback

MADDY HILL - AKA NANCY CARTER

natalie Cassidy & Patsy Palmer / Sonia Fowler and Bianca Butcher's throwback9 of 13
CREDIT: [Natalie Cassidy's Twitter](https://twitter.com/Nat_Cassidy/media?lang=en-gb)

natalie Cassidy & Patsy Palmer / Sonia Fowler and Bianca Butcher's throwback

NATALIE CASSIDY & PATSY PALMER - SONIA FOWLER & BIANCA BUTCHER

Rita Simon & Samantha Womack / Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell's throwback10 of 13
CREDIT: [Rita Simons's Twitter](https://twitter.com/OfficialRita/media)

Rita Simon & Samantha Womack / Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell's throwback

RITA SIMONS & SAMANTHA WOMACK - AKA ROXY AND RONNIE MITCHELL

Harry Reid / Ben Mitchell's throwback11 of 13
CREDIT: [Harry Reid's Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/harryreidactor/)

Harry Reid / Ben Mitchell's throwback

HARRY REID - AKA BEN MITCHELL

Danniella Westbrook / Sam Mitchell's throwback12 of 13
CREDIT: [Danniella Westbrook's Twitter](https://twitter.com/westbrookdanni?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author)

Danniella Westbrook / Sam Mitchell's throwback

SAM MITCHELL - DANNIELLA WESTBROOK

Adam Woodyatt13 of 13
CREDIT: Shutterstock / Rex & Twitter / @ClaudiaMRedmond

Adam Woodyatt

IAN BEALE - ADAM WOODYATT

Dame Barbara Windsor
©Shutterstock

Scott, who has been married to Barbara since 2000, revealed he wanted to make Barbara's illness public to help other families dealing with the same situation. The 55-year-old also confirmed that his wife, who played the role of Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, gave him her blessing to tell her adoring fans about her diagnosis.

Since Scott confirmed the news, fans and friends of Barbara have been quick to show their support to the legendary actress on social media.

Barbara's husband Scott revealed her symptoms first started in 2009, with the actress struggling to learn her lines for EastEnders.

Despite this, the couple thought nothing of it until early 2012 when she started repeating sentences. After a number of tests and scans, Barbara was then diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014.

Dame Barbara Windsor
©Shutterstock

Barbara first started her acting career when she was just 13-years-old, playing a part in The Belles of St Trinian's in 1954.

She later went on to star in a number of famous Carry On films, before landing a role as the infamous Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders in 1994. In 2009 Barbara announced she'd be leaving the soap to spend more valuable time with her husband Scott.

Just a few years later, Barbara returned to the soap for one episode which aired in September 2014. She then featured in the 30th anniversary show in February 2015. Barbara's last appearance playing the role of Peggy Mitchell then came in May 2016.

The Alzheimer's Society has said that Alzheimer's disease is "the most common cause of dementia. The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language."

Over 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, with the numbers expected to rise to over 1 million by 2025.

WATCH: Lauren Goodger on Joey’s release, Cheryl’s outrage and Meghan Markle and Danielle Lloyd’s weddings

READ MORE

Sam Faiers shares CUTE photo of Paul and Rosie wearing matching outfits

I'm A Celeb's Jordan Banjo has become a dad!

Cat Deeley shows off her beautiful baby bump as she prepares to give birth

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us