Barbara Windsor’s husband says her last days were ‘full of drama’

Dame Barbara Windsor's husband opened up about her last days as he announced the sad news that she has died at the age of 83.

Scott Mitchell said the ex-EastEnders legend's final days were "full of drama" in his emotional statement.

Barbara, who was best known for playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and her condition worsened in recent months.

She tragically passed away at 8.35pm on Thursday at a London care home.

Scott moved Barbara into a care home earlier this year on the advice of her neurologist and was by her side when she died.

He said in a statement: "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.

"It was not the ending that Barbara or anyone else living with this very cruel disease deserve.

"I will always be immensely proud of Barbara's courage, dignity and generosity dealing with her own illness and still trying to help others by raising awareness for as long as she could."

Barbara had become lonely during the coronavirus lockdown as she didn't understand why no one was visiting her.

She had often spoken publicly about her Alzheimer's diagnosis before her condition worsened.

In 2018 she encoured people to run the 2019 London Marathon in aid of Dementia Revolution, to "support ground-breaking research to find a cure for a condition that affects so many people, like me".

Tributes to Barbara have been paid by her former EastEnders co-stars.

A representative for actor Steve McFadden, who plays Dame Barbara's on-screen son Phil Mitchell, told PA he was "devastated" by her death.

Actress Danniella Westbrook, who played Dame Barbara's on-screen daughter Sam Mitchell on EastEnders, tweeted: "MY HEART IS BROKEN .Bar you will always be in my heart forever. Good bye , I LOVE YOU XXX RIP Barbara WINDSOR."

Born Barbara Ann Deeks in 1937, she took the stage name Barbara Windsor in 1953 after being inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

Barbara became famous in the 1960s, with roles in the Carry On... films.

She played the EastEnders pub landlady Peggy Mitchell on and off from 1994 to 2016.

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