Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell, 60, enjoys a dinner with EastEnders actress Tanya Franks, 55, after their blossoming romance was revealed

Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and EastEnders actress Tanya Franks enjoyed a romantic dinner date in London on Saturday.

Scott’s wife of 27 years, Dame Barbara, died in December 2020 at the age of 83 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

And Scott, 60, and Tanya, 55, who played drug-addicted prostitute Rainie Cross on the soap, made their relationship official earlier this month during a holiday in Greece.

Scott looked handsome in a black blazer and patterned shirt as the pair enjoyed a date night.

Meanwhile, Tanya looked glamorous in a black bodycon dress and yellow heels.

Date night: Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and EastEnders actress Tanya Franks enjoyed a romantic dinner date in London on Saturday

Romance: Scott, 60, and Tanya, 55, who played drug-addicted prostitute Rainie Cross on the soap, made their relationship official earlier this month during a holiday in Greece

Scott and Tanya are early in their relationship and have developed a close friendship over the years while working with Bab’s Army to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s.

In 2019, Scott ran the London Marathon with Tanya, raising thousands of people for Alzheimer’s Research UK in memory of Barbara.

Alzheimer’s is close to Tanya’s heart as she also ran in honor of her stepfather, Derek.

Scott and Tanya ran the London Marathon again this year alongside other EastEnders stars as part of Bab’s Army.

A source told The Sun Scott is “really happy”. They said, “Scott has found love again for Tanya and is really happy.” His friends and Barbara’s are delighted that he has found someone to share his life with.

“It’s still early days but Scott is cautious about the future now.” While on holiday in Greece, they decided to update their wider circles and everyone was over the moon.

“There’s so much friendship and respect between the two of them, and they’re taking things slowly.”

Scott and Tanya were pictured with each other late last month while attending Ashley Brodin’s summer garden party.

Tanya has appeared in 382 episodes of EastEnders. She debuted as Rainie in 2007 and signed a full-time contract in 2018.

Her last appearance on the soap was in June last year.

During her seven-part cameo in 2010, the character even had an affair with Phil Mitchell, played by Steve McFadden, Barbara’s on-screen son. The duo’s paths crossed while Rainie sought crack cocaine from a drunk Phil.

The story was widely panned, branding it “terrible” and “inappropriate,” while former series star Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, described the plot as “shocking.”

Looking good: Scott looked handsome in a black blazer and patterned shirt as the pair enjoyed a date night

Glamour: Tanya looked glamorous in a black bodycon dress and yellow heels

Very popular: Dame Barbara passed away in December 2020 at the age of 83 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease [pictured 2011]

Aside from EastEnders, she has a slew of TV appearances including Family Affairs, The Bill, Pulling and Broadchurch.

Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 and kept her battle with the disease a secret for four years.

After her death, Scott said, “She passed away from Alzheimer’s/Dementia and Barbara ended up dying peacefully and I spent the last seven days by her side.”

“Myself, her family and friends will remember Barbara with love, smiles and affection for the many years of love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all of our lives and for the entertainment, that she has given to so many thousands of others throughout her career.” .

“Barbara’s last few weeks were typical of her life.” “Full of humor, drama and fighting spirit to the end.”

After her death, Scott said he believed he would never be able to love again. Last year, he heartbreakingly said, “I was lucky enough to have met Barbara.”

“It shouldn’t have worked on paper, but it worked for us and I’m so grateful that she chose me to share her life with because I don’t think I’ll ever find another.” “

Prior to her relationship with Scott, Tanya was married to fellow actor James Barriscale, with whom she founded the film and theater production company Stock-pot Productions. He played Jonathan Malnet, Jade Green’s adoptive father on the soap.

James also starred in The Bill. It is not known when the couple split up.

Barbara and Scott married in 2000 and their romance was controversial at the time due to their 27-year age difference.

While little is known about his dating life prior to meeting the legendary star, Scott has shed light on the intricacies of their romance amid rumors that they were in an “open marriage”.

Get out of my pub! Barbara played Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders [pictured with her sons Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Phil (Steve McFadden) in 2016]

On screen: Tanya played crack cocaine addict Rainie Cross in the BBC soap opera, which revolved around her and Barbara’s son Phil Mitchell, who can be seen on screen

He explained that their relationship is not a “closed book” and that Barbara doesn’t want her husband to “live life to the fullest.” In the book, he wrote, “Our relationship wasn’t an open one, but it wasn’t a closed book either…”

“She’d always said sex is sex and love is love, and she wasn’t the double standard type, so she kept her reservations to herself and never asked me directly.”

Former cocaine addict Scott was supported in his struggle by Barbara, as she revealed in her autobiography: “I think I could have stopped Scott’s spiral of self-destruction if one more desire from the wonderful guy I loved hadn’t turned him into one. ‘ sad, pathetic being that I hardly recognized.

“I would look at him and think: I did nothing wrong and still managed to ruin this man’s life.” Scott would see the tears in my eyes and promise to take the car with him. But it never lasted more than three or four days before he was on his way again.’

Eventually, Scott was treated for his addiction under the guidance of Elton John’s manager, John Reid, and therapist Beechy Colclough.