Barbara Windsor's widow Scott Mitchell splits from EastEnders actress Tanya Franks after three years

Barbara Windsor’s widow Scott Mitchell has split from EastEnders actress Tanya Franks after three years as a couple.

Scott, 62, began dating Tanya, 59, who played Rainie Cross on the soap, following his acting titan wife's death from Alzheimer’s disease aged 83 in 2020.

Speaking to The Sun, he said: 'I can confirm Tanya and I had a couple of wonderful years together. In true respect of each other, we felt in April our relationship should evolve into a now incredible and kind friendship...

'Tanya is also a highly private person. Out of respect for her, I will not be commenting any further on this matter.”

Insiders added: 'Scott and Tanya have chosen to end their relationship but remain committed friends...

'She was a rock to Scott in the years that passed after Barbara’s death. Sadly they decided earlier this year that the spark had gone and they were better as friends.'

In June, Scott opened up about the 'dagger through his heart' moment when he was forced to send Barbara to a care home - and the hardest lesson he learned from living as her carer for four years.

Barbara, who played Peggy Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders between 1994 and 2016, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 and kept her diagnosis private until 2018. Barbara passed away on 10 December 2020.

'Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK. Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities,' the NHS website states.

Scott said: 'I knew hardly anything that was about to come with dementia. I had no idea that dementia was going to affect her mobility.

'It was going to affect everything about our relationship. I became her carer. I was having to do things for Barbara that she would have never have wished me to have had to do to look after her. You do literally have to learn on the job.

'I had to learn that when Barbara said something that didn't make sense to me, that I knew was wrong, at first I would argue with her, then I would contradict her, and say "Barbara that was not right".

'It took me time to understand to go with her reality. What I realised then, the reason I used to get irritable with her, contradict her, it was because I was so, so scared.'

He continued: 'I can remember the first time she called me from upstairs and she was crying, and I said: "What's the matter Bar?" and she said: "I don't how to chose an outfit". Something she had done all her life.' 

Last year, Scott spoke about how he was deeply hurt by the backlash he received over his relationship with Tanya, who worked with Barbara on EastEnders before her health began to decline. 

He reflected on the criticism he received for starting a relationship with Tanya. 

He told The Mirror: 'There’s always that person that says, "That was quick". It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and cast judgement - especially with social media. These people forget that their words can really hurt.'

Scott said Tanya is very accepting of him talking about Barbara, having lost her step-father Derek to the cruel disease in 2024 after an 11-year battle.

He said: 'She allows me to talk about Barbara any time I need to. In the same way she can with me. I’m never second-guessing if the moment’s right. If I thought any of it hurt her, I wouldn’t do it.'

Scott added Barbara would approve of his new relationship, having 'liked' Tanya herself.