DAME Barbara Windsor’s husband has paid tribute to his “wife, best friend and soulmate” saying his “heart or life will never feel the same without you” following her death aged 83.
The actress, one of Britain’s most beloved entertainment stars, first found fame in her role as a buxom blonde in the Carry On films and later became a household name playing Peggy Mitchell, the Queen Vic’s battle-axe landlady in BBC soap EastEnders.
Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and made the news public in 2018.
She died at 8.35pm on Thursday at a London care home, her husband Scott Mitchell told PA.
He said the cherished actress’s final weeks were “typical of how she lived her life” and “full of humour, drama and a fighting spirit until the end”.
Mr Mitchell said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that my darling wife Barbara passed away at 8.35pm on Thursday 10th December at a London Care Home. 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.
“Dementia/Alzheimer’s remains the UKs number one killer. Although in challenging times, I urge the Prime Minister, his Government and other parties to be true to their previous promises and invest more into Dementia/Alzheimer’s Research and Care.
“Thank you to all the drs, nurses and carers who are angels at the Care Home for your kindness and care to Barbara and I throughout her stay with you. You are my heroes.
“And my gratitude to our family, friends and everyone in the media and the general public for all the good wishes and warm support that has been shown to Barbara over the last few years during her illness. Barbara deeply appreciated that.
“May you rest in peace now my precious Bar. I’ve lost my wife, my best friend and soul mate and my heart or life will never feel the same without you.
“I will be making no further statements and now need the time to grieve this painful, personal loss.”
The Alzheimer’s Society praised Dame Barbara and her husband, saying it is “incredibly grateful” for their work bringing awareness to the disease.
In a statement to PA, the charity said: “Dame Barbara Windsor was an amazingly true, much-loved national treasure, and in speaking out about her experiences shone like a beacon for others affected by dementia.
“Our heart goes out to her husband Scott Mitchell and all their family and friends at this very sad time. Alzheimer’s Society is incredibly grateful to have had Barbara and her husband Scott’s support – what they achieved over the last couple of years for dementia has been truly awe-inspiring.”
The charity said Dame Barbara and her husband were instrumental in helping its Dementia Revolution campaign raise £4 million for the Dementia Research Institute.
And praising their work calling for improved dementia care from the Government, the Alzheimer’s Society said the couple was “always driven by their desire to help those desperately struggling to cope with this devastating condition”.
The charity added: “We echo his plea to Government, and, on behalf of the 850,000 people with dementia and their families, we just cannot thank them enough. Dementia remains the UK’s biggest killer and sadly, people with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus, so have never needed help more. We are here to offer support and advice to anyone affected by dementia.”
Tamzin Outhwaite, who played Mel Owen in EastEnders, tweeted: “Meant to be sleeping but can’t…. RIP Barbara Windsor… #legend #icon #nationaltreasure #friend #heroine”. She added: “All I can hear is “Ello darlin”#ripbarbara”
Actress Claire Sweeney, known for her work on soap Brookside, paid tribute to Dame Barbara and sent a message of support to her grieving husband Scott.
She tweeted: “RIP Dame Barbara Windsor. God bless you Scott.”
Candice Brown, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2016, also shared a tribute to Dame Barbara on Twitter.
She said: “Dame Barbara my heart is broken I literally don’t know how to put into words. Scott my heart is with you. Babs you will always be my first love.”
Patsy Palmer, who played Bianca Jackson on EastEnders, has shared a moving tribute to Dame Barbara on Instagram.
Alongside pictures of the pair together, as well as a photograph of a young Dame Barbara, Palmer said: “I’m extremely sad to hear that my friend ‘Dame’ Babara Windsor has passed away . I’m sitting here thinking of the 100’s of memories we shared .
“Too many to comprehend. We were like family for a long time, ups downs, ins and outs but you will never meet a more professional actress than Babs.”
Palmer, 48, also praised Dame Barbara’s husband, Scott Mitchell.
She wrote: “@scott.mitchell3 You were the best husband she could’ve wished for . You deserve the highest accolade. We shared such magical times together and I’ll cherish every one . I can hear that laugh now as I sit and think about her . I hope it’ll ring in my ears forever.
“She always looked out for me and so did you . Love you both very much . I’m gutted ! I could say so much but I’m so sad . RIP BABS.”
Doctor Who star John Barrowman, who was interviewed by Dame Barbara on BBC Radio 2 in October 2011, said in a video on Twitter that the star will be “sorely missed”.
“In the 30-odd years of my career I’ve had many, many occasions where I’ve been in company with Barbara – or, as everyone just called her, ‘Babs’ – and she will be sorely missed,” the British-American actor said.
“She was a small woman but feisty and she had the biggest, biggest heart in the business. And she was a genuine, lovely, warm, caring person and she will be sorely missed by the film, television, radio and theatre worlds.
“We all knew that she wasn’t in great health, but it’s still a shock when it comes.
“Rest in peace, Dame Barbara Windsor. You will be sorely missed.”
Jedward tweeted a montage of Dame Barbara on EastEnders telling people to “get out of my pub” and the former X Factor stars said: “RIP you iconic legend Barbara Windsor”, adding a red heart.
David Baddiel added, referring to his partner, actor and writer Morwenna Banks: “Morwenna – who literally never says anything on social media – has asked me to add how sad she is too.”
Actress Danniella Westbrook, who played Dame Barbara’s on-screen daughter Sam Mitchell on EastEnders, tweeted: “MY HEART IS BROKEN .Bar you will always br in my heart forever. Good bye , I LOVE YOU XXX RIP Barbara WINDSOR.”
Comedian David Baddiel paid tribute on Twitter, saying: “RIP the very lovely, very funny Barbara Windsor. What a genuine national treasure she was.”
TV presenter Jonathan Ross tweeted: “Barbara Windsor in real life was everything you might have hoped for. So warm, so funny, so kind. Goodnight sweetheart x #BarbaraWindsor”.
In his tribute to the actress, veteran DJ Tony Blackburn tweeted: “So sorry to hear Barbara Windsor has passed away, a lovely lady who was always such fun. R.I.P. Babs.”
Outlander star Colin McFarlane said he had met Dame Barbara, whom he described as a national treasure, “several times”.
He tweeted: “More sad news for 2020. Met this national treasure several times. Always so down to earth & humble. Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease. At least she will now be at peace. Sending healing thoughts to her nearest & dearest. Rest well #BarbaraWindsor”.
Former Labour MP and broadcaster George Galloway tweeted: “Dame Barbara Windsor passing brings a dismal year to nearly a close. She was a national Treasure which is still something to be. May she rest in peace. #BarbaraWindsor”.
A representative for actor Steve McFadden, who plays Dame Barbara’s on-screen son Phil Mitchell, told PA he was “devastated” by her death.
The Mitchells have been crucial to EastEnders’ success and longevity and viewers were for years gripped by the drama surrounding the family.
Dame Floella Benjamin tweeted: “So sad to hear the news that #BarbaraWindsor has passed away. She brought much joy to the nation and was a true national treasure in every sense of the word. May she rest in peace. #RIPBabs”.
Singer and broadcaster Aled Jones tweeted: “RIP Dame Barbara Windsor a true national treasure! X #oneofakind”
Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules tweeted a black and white picture of Dame Barbara, writing alongside it: “Chorus Girl – Star, Dame Barbara Windsor, has taken her final bow… #RIP”.
Blue singer Duncan James tweeted: “So sad to hear about Barbara Windsor passing. She was truly a British icon and may she rest in peace.”
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