Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell splits from EastEnders star Tanya Franks after a 'wonderful' three years

Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell splits from EastEnders star Tanya Franks after a 'wonderful' three years EXCLUSIVE: Dame Barbara Windsor's widower, Scott Mitchell, tells the Mirror he has split from partner Tanya Franks, who played Rainie Cross, on EastEnders, saying it was 'wonderful' and they have 'true respect' for each other Barbara Windsor's widower, Scott Mitchell, has split from EastEnders star, Tanya Franks. Scott, 62, started dating Tranya, 59 - who played Rainie Cross in the soap - three years ago following the tragic loss of his beloved wife, Barbara, who died from Alzheimer's aged 83 in 2020. Revealing they called it a day in April after deciding they were better off as friends, Scott tells The Mirror: "Tanya and I had a couple of wonderful years together and, in true respect of each other. "We felt in April our relationship should evolve into a now incredible and kind friendship. Tanya is also a highly private person and out of respect for her, I will not be commenting any further on this matter”. Scott found love again with Tanya three years after losing national treasure, Barbara, who he was married to for 20 years. Dame Barbara - who played the iconic Peggy Mitchell - was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014 and Scott revealed the news publicly four years later. Scott and Tanya went official with their relationship in the summer of 2023 when they went on holiday to Greece together. Their families and friends were said to be happy for them both. Actress, Tanya, is best known for her role in EastEnders, playing Tanya Branning’s sister Rainie Cross in the BBC soap. She has also had roles in Pulling, Mum and Broadchurch. She bonded with Scott while training for the London Marathon, which he ran in 2019, 2021 and 2023 alongside a team of EastEnders stars in support of Alzheimer's Research UK. As leader of Babs’ Army, the businessman has run several marathons in memory of his late wife alongside, EastEnders stars, Jake Wood, Lacey Turner, Tanya, Heather Peace, Natalie Cassidy and Adam Woodyatt. Opening up about the grief he felt after losing Barbara, Scott said four years ago: “I talk about her and remember her with such joy. Two years is not a long time out of 27 years. "I’m still in the early stages of grief and processing everything, but what I’m really trying to do is think of the really good times. “Especially the early times when we first met. That’s been a really good thing for me, to go back. I lost my best friend. "My other half. I think that's why I still feel that sense now of being in the house and feeling sometimes that she is there with me. Other times I feel the loneliness of her not being there anymore.". Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.