Barbara Windsor's widower and EastEnders star bonded over dementia fight before romance began

dailyrecord.co.uk:

EastEnders actress Tanya Franks knew Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell for years before they became a couple.The pair bonded over their dedication to running the London Marathon in support of dementia research, after Dame Barbara discovered she was suffering from Alzheimer's in 2014, writes The Mirror.The 60-year-old widower is said to have fallen for Tanya Franks, 55, who played character Rainie Cross, three years after the death of his beloved wife Barbara Windsor.A source has said that Scott is "truly happy", previously fearing he might "never find another".Scott and Tanya went official with their relationship whilst on holiday in Greece this month, and their families and friends are said to be delighted for them.

Speaking of his new relationship, Scott told The Sun: "Life feels really good right now," before adding: "Life feels really good right now and we are enjoying some special time together."A source also told the newspaper: "His and Barbara’s friends are delighted he’s found someone to share his life with.

It’s fairly early days but Scott is cautiously now looking forward to the future. They made the decision to update their wider circles while on holiday in Greece and everyone was over the moon."The source said that the new couple are "taking things slowly" but there's "so much friendship and respect".Tanya has starred in EastEnders on and off between 2007 to 2008, 2010 to 2011, 2014 to 2015 where she played , playing Tanya Branning’s sister Rainie Cross.She returned again in 201, before leaving Albert Square in 2022.Barbara Windsor played the iconic character Peggy Mitchell and first appeared on the soap in 1991.