Thursday 10 May 2018

Dame Barbara Windsor diagnosed with Alzheimer's


I hate reporting sad news on this blog however sometimes it's just unavoidable. We woke up to the dreadful news this morning that acting legend Dame Barbara Windsor has gone public with her diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Barbara's husband Scott has given a very moving interview to The Sun newspaper which has been reported on the BBC. Scott confirms that Barbara was first diagnosed four years ago, in April 2014, although they had noticed her struggles to learn lines for several years before this. Scott has said Barbara's struggle with the disease has increased since her 80th birthday last year. 

Scott told The Sun they wanted to continue going out in London and as this will obviously bring Barbara into contact with the general public and her many fans, they wanted people to know what's going on in case they worry about the way she is with them. Although Scott has given the interview, he confirms Barbara is fully aware and in agreement with the decision to go public.

Dame Barbara is a British icon, first taking to the stage at the age of 13, before going on to make countless appearances in plays, musicals and of course with Joan Littlewood at Stratford East. Barbara went on to appear in nine Carry On films, starting with Carry On Spying in 1964. Windsor grabbed her most famous role as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap EastEnders in 1994 and stayed with the programme on and off for the next sixteen years.



I'm so so sad to hear of Barbara's battle with such a dreadful illness. For as long as I can remember Barbara has been such a force of nature, bright, bubbly with the entertainment business running through her like a stick of rock. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing Barbara and Scott all the very best at this hugely challenging, difficult time.

You can follow me on Twitter @CarryOnJoan and on Instagram

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