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Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell 'overwhelmed' by £100k fan fundraiser

Katie Archer
·Contributor
Updated ·2-min read
Scott Mitchell has spoken about how Barbara Windsor's condition has worsened over the past few months (Getty)
Barbara Windsor's husband Scott Mitchell has spoken about how her condition worsened over her last few months. (Getty)

Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell has said he is “overwhelmed” by generous donations from fans to fund Alzheimer’s disease research.

The £100,000 of charity fundraising was in tribute to his late wife, who died earlier this month after battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2014.

Mitchell set up a JustGiving page to honour her memory and in under a week, it had collected £104,000.

Read more: Mackenzie Crook says new Worzel Gummidge is fitting tribute to Barbara Windsor

He said: "I have been completely overwhelmed by the response from Barbara’s fans, friends and former colleagues.

"This outpouring of support has filled me with pride and been a huge comfort to me. It just shows how loved, respected and adored my Barbara was. That’s magical."

Watch: Scott Mitchell makes his first TV appearance following Barbara Windsor's death

The cash, which came from fans and an £83,000 donation from the Jackpotjoy bingo site, which Windsor had worked with, will go to charity Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Encouraging people to make more donations to the cause, Mitchell said every penny raised could make a difference.

He said: “We must find a way to stop future generations going through what so many of us have already. Please do consider a donation however small or large. Every penny will take us one step closer to desperately needed breakthroughs.

"I’m determined to honour her legacy by doing everything I can to support dementia research and help Alzheimer’s Research UK’s search for a cure.”

Dame Barbara Windsor and Scott Mitchell met with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to discuss dementia care. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
Barbara Windsor and Scott Mitchell met with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street to discuss dementia care. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Read more: EastEnders was answer to Barbara Windsor’s prayers over £1m debt

Windsor and Mitchell worked with Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise funds and awareness of the condition after she went public with her diagnosis in 2018.

The EastEnders star passed away on 10 December aged 83, with many of her former co-stars paying tribute to her career and their friendships with her.

Ross Kemp, who played her son Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap, called for a “Barbara Tax” in the days after her death to help pay for research into a cure for dementia.

Windsor was known for her roles as Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders and in many of the Carry On films.

Watch: Stars pay tribute to Dame Barbara Windsor