Barbara was a vivacious, fun-loving lady who brought joy to people's lives'

SCOTT Mitchell is still haunted by the memories of witnessing his legendary actress wife Dame Barbara Windsor deteriorate under the cruel influence of Alzheimer's disease.

- SHELLEY SPADONI

But, five years to the day on from her death, he is determined to remember the good times he shared with the EastEnders favourite.

Babs, who played feisty Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell for more than a decade, died aged 83, six years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Her death was mourned by her millions of fans who fell in love with her glamour, comic timing and ability to light up and command any stage or screen.

Five years on her widower Scott, 62, says Barbara's infectious energy is still present, but so too are the memories taken by the disease.

"I wish I never had to experience the terror in Barbara's eyes, when she didn't know where she was, who I was who she was," he says.

"That haunts me. No human being should have to leave this world in the way those suffering with dementia do. Nobody. That's why we have to keep talking about it.

"Having witnessed it firsthand, developing dementia myself is actually my biggest fear - I think it's most people's."

Dementia now affects half the people in Britain either personally, or as a loved one caring for someone.

Scott adds: "I've been thinking of how she was at the end and it's made me think about how vitally important it is that we all remember what Barbara stood for before this devastating illness took hold.

Comfort

"And that was an incredibly vivacious, fun-loving, talented, positive lady who brought real joy to people's lives. Still now, when people talk about her, they smile.

"They can't help it."