Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell has revealed her Alzheimer’s has “progressed” and she now often does not recognise the home they share together.
Scott gave an update on the former EastEnders star’s condition, with which she was diagnosed in 2014, after the couple first revealed details of her diagnosis last year.
Speaking on Steve Wright’s Radio 2 show, he said: “There’s good and bad days, the confusion does progress and that becomes a lot more stressful for her to live with and you as the carer to watch.
“I think what I’ve learnt by talking to other people is its very different for every case. It’s very simple things that used to be very easy, whether that’s signing something or writing a letter, opening something.”
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Barbara Windsor and her husband Scott Mitchell
GORC via Getty Images
He continued: “At times it’s very frustrating and irritable. It gets worse at night. With Barbara it’s to do with our house. She constantly asks me over and over again at night whose house is this, are we staying here, is this house I grew up with my mummy.”
Scott’s comments follow those of Barbara’s former co-star Kellie Shirley, who claimed the Peggy Mitchell actor was struggling to remember names.
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Kellie Shirley is running the London Marathon to help raise money for dementia research
BBC
She told the Sunday Express: “A massive part of being an actor is remembering things. Your memories are such a big part of who you are. That’s why I feel for Barbara. She remembers so much about the past as clear as day yet she won’t remember my name.
“We still have funny moments. It’s not bleak all the time, but it is hardcore. It’s a cruel disease that robs you of your memories.”
Scott and Kellie are planning to complete the London Marathon for the Dementia Revolution campaign with a host of other EastEnders stars in order to raise funds for vital research.
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Scott is Barbara's primary carer
David M. Benett via Getty Images
Scott previously revealed Barbara has been left in need of constant care, as she can no longer be left alone.
He told The Mirror in January: “She thanks me for looking after her. I say to her, ‘You don’t have to thank me’. Barbara can’t be left alone any more. That’s the reality of it. She has to have constant care.
“She can’t look after herself but then we still sit and have dinner and watch TV and have normal conversations.”
Barbara Windsor's Career In Pictures
An early headshot of Barbara taken in the 1950s.(01 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
In a production of Fings Ain't What They Used To Be at Garrick Theatre, London in 1960.(02 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Spying (1964)(03 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Performing on TV show Thank Your Lucky Stars in the 1960s(04 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
On The Des O'Connor Show in 1966.(05 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Henry (1967)(06 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Doctor (1967)(07 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Doctor (1967)(08 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Camping (1969)(09 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Again Doctor (1967)(10 of32)
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Carry On Again Doctor (1967)(11 of32)
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On stage in The Boy Friend in 1971(12 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
Carry On Matron (1972)(13 of32)
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Carry on Abroad (1972)(14 of32)
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Carry On Matron (1972)(15 of32)
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Carry On Dick (1974)(16 of32)
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With Danny La Rue in Come Spy With Me in 1977.(17 of32)
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In Worzel Gummidge in 1979.(18 of32)
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(credit:Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
With Pauline Quirke in Both Ends Meet in 1980.(19 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
With Russell Grant on Family Fortunes in 1990.(20 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
One Foot In The Grave(21 of32)
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Actors Richard Wilson and Barbara Windsor in a scene from episode 'The Affair of the Hollow Lady' of the BBC Television sitcom 'One Foot in the Grave', October 23rd 1994. (Photo by Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images) (credit:Radio Times via Getty Images)
In panto in 1994.(22 of32)
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With EastEnders co-star Ross Kemp in 1996.(23 of32)
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With Graham Norton at a Pride event in 1997(24 of32)
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(credit:Steve Eason via Getty Images)
With on-screen husband Mike Reid in EastEnders in 1999.(25 of32)
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(credit:John Stillwell - PA Images via Getty Images)
Launching her first solo album in 1999.(26 of32)
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Being turned into a waxwork at Madam Tussauds in 2000.(27 of32)
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Receiving her MBE at Buckingham Palace in 2000.(28 of32)
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Launching her autobiography All Of Me in 2000.(29 of32)
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(credit:Owen Humphreys - PA Images via Getty Images)
Showing the Queen around the EastEnders set in 2001.(30 of32)
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(credit:Rex)
With her EastEnders co-stars as show wins Best Soap at the NTAs.(31 of32)
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(credit:Dan Kitwood via Getty Images)
Barbara receives a Damehood at Buckingham Palace in 2016.(32 of32)