Scott Mitchell has been in a relationship with former EastEnders actress Tanya Franks for the past two years, following the passing of his wife, Barbara Windsor, in 2020 after her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Barbara Windsor’s widower, Scott Mitchell, has spoken out in response to criticism surrounding his relationship with another EastEnders star.
Scott, 62, has been dating Tanya Franks — known for her role as Rainie Cross on the BBC soap — for the past two years. He found love again following the loss of his wife Barbara in 2020.
And the romance has Barbara’s blessing, according to Scott. He said: “My being unhappy and alone is not going to bring Barbara back. Life is very much for the living and we all get one shot at living. Of course, there’s always someone on the internet, who’s going to say, ‘Oh, it didn’t take him long.'”
He added to The Mirror: “Well, maybe they forget the fact that Barbara’s illness possibly started initially 10 years before she passed so you’re grieving while they’re alive. You lose them while they’re alive.
“I didn’t feel guilty because I knew I had Barbara’s blessing because of what she’d always said to me.”
Speaking of his new relationship, he said: “Tanya is a wonderful lady. She’s very private.
“She’s not how Barbara was in that respect. Barbara was an open book.
“Barbara told you every detail about her life. Tanya has no interest in celebrity.”
The actress is currently appearing in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Much Ado About Nothing in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Between 2007 and 2022, she appeared in EastEnders as Rainie Cross, however she was not on the BBC soap for the full time, instead coming back for stints on and off.
It’s thought that the duo met during the training for the London Marathon.
They confirmed their romance in 2023.
Scott has run in the London Marathon a handful of times since 2019 in honour of Barbara. He ran it again in 2021 and 2023, which he said would be his last time.