Scott Mitchell, Widower of Barbara Windsor, Ends Relationship with Tanya Franks

Scott Mitchell, the widower of EastEnders star Barbara Windsor, has announced his split from actress Tanya Franks after three years as a couple. Mitchell, 62, confirmed the separation to The Sun, stating that their relationship evolved into a "now incredible and kind friendship" in April.

"I can confirm Tanya and I had a couple of wonderful years together," Mitchell said. "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. Out of respect for her, I will not be commenting any further on this matter.”

Sources close to the couple indicated that while the romantic spark had faded, they remain committed friends. Franks, 59, who played Rainie Cross on the BBC soap, began dating Mitchell following Windsor's death from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 83 in December 2020.

Mitchell had previously spoken about the challenges of caring for Windsor, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2014. He described the difficult process of sending her to a care home and learning to navigate her changing reality as her condition progressed. He shared that early in her illness, he would sometimes argue with her when she said things that did not make sense, a reaction he later understood stemmed from his fear.

Last year, Mitchell addressed criticism he received for starting a relationship with Franks, who had worked with Windsor on EastEnders. He told The Mirror that online judgment can be hurtful and that people forget the impact of their words. Mitchell also noted that Franks was understanding about his continued openness regarding his late wife, having also experienced loss from the disease, with her step-father dying after an 11-year battle with Alzheimer's.

Mitchell expressed his belief that Windsor would have approved of his relationship with Franks, whom he said the actress herself had "liked."