Tanya's wonderful ...she understands there will always be a place in my heart for Barbara

The gentle, selfless way that Scott Mitchell cared for Barbara Windsor and guided her through her final years touched the nation.

- SUE CRAWFORD and MARK JEFFERIES

Married for two decades, they faced the star's devastating Alzheimer's diagnosis together from 2014 until her final day, aged 83, in December 2020.

It is impossible not to feel a sense of joy that Scott has now found happiness with new partner Tanya Franks, who accepts that Dame Barbara will always be a key part of his life.

Tanya co-starred in EastEnders with Carry On queen Babs and also helped to raise much-needed funds for Alzheimer's research with Scott.

The couple went public with their love last summer and former actor Scott, who still regularly talks to his late wife at the site where he scattered her ashes, is full praise for Tanya. He said: "I'm very happy. Tanya is a wonderful lady who knew Barbara and is very understanding.

"It can't be easy to be with someone who was the other half of Barbara Windsor, especially the fact that I still put myself out there and talk about her.

"So, it says to me the type of person that Tanya is can deal with that. She is very sure of herself as a person.

"Just because you're not with someone for whatever reason, it doesn't mean you just switch off some valve of love.

"There's always going to be a place for Barbara in my heart. I might turn the TV on and suddenly she'll be there and it takes my breath away sometimes, because I'm not expecting it."

Tanya, 56, has had major soap roles in Family Affairs and as Rainie Cross in EastEnders, as well as an awardwinning part in Sharon Horgan's BBC Three comedy Pulling.

She first met Scott, 60, when they worked to raise Alzheimer's awareness, being pictured together after running the 2019 London Marathon for the cause.