The look of love! Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell pictured with Tanya Franks

It's been three years since he said a final farewell to the love of his life, Dame Barbara Windsor.

Now life has turned a new page for Scott Mitchell, as he's pictured smiling and laughing with his new partner Tanya Franks.

In new pictures the pair's mutual affection was clear as they walked together in the sunshine.

Having just popped to Waitrose to stock up, the newly public couple smiled at one another as they walked back to Scott's home in London's Marylebone. The couple now share the home, which Scott bought with Barbara. 

Scott, 60, was left devastated when he lost wife Barbara aged 83 in 2020 following her battle with Alzheimer's disease. After her death he devoted himself to fundraising for charity in her name – and in doing so formed a close bond – with another EastEnders star.

Tanya, 55, played Rainie Cross who was Tanya Branning's (Jo Joyner) sister in the BBC One soap for a few short stints between 2007 and 2015, but joined Albert Square full time in 2018 until her character left in 2022.

She had also developed a friendship with Barbara and had been part of Babs' Army – the nickname for Scott and his band of Barbara's friends and co-stars who took on fundraising challenges for dementia care and treatment.

Tanya ran the London Marathon alongside Scott in 2019 to raise money for dementia charities, with a group of EastEnders alumni including Adam Woodyatt.

Tanya had her own personal reasons for the cause being close to her heart, as she explained her stepdad had been diagnosed with dementia and her mum was his carer.

Barbara was diagnosed with dementia in 2014, and went public with the news four years later. She was supported by devoted Scott throughout her final years.

Now, Scott has told The Sun of his relationship with Tanya: "Life feels really good right now and we are enjoying some special time together."

A source also told the newspaper: “His and Barbara’s friends are delighted he’s found someone to share his life with. It’s fairly early days but Scott is cautiously now looking forward to the future. They made the decision to update their wider circles while on holiday in Greece and everyone was over the moon."

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