Barbara’s battle
Ross Kemp explores how dementia affects his friend and co-star Dame Barbara Windsor
Actors Ross Kemp and Dame Barbara Windsor forged a formidable screen partnership playing hard man Grant Mitchell and mum Peggy in Eastenders, and became close friends.
Barbara’s battle with Alzheimer’s, with which she was diagnosed in 2014, has inspired Ross, 55, to make a documentary about dementia, and he speaks to Barbara’s husband, Scott, about how it’s changed their lives.
‘Scott’s given a very honest appraisal of what the future holds,’ says Ross, who became a documentarymaker after leaving the soap. ‘I was welling up, because it was so heartbreaking.’
Ross says one of the first things that struck him about Barbara was her quick wit, and he admits he’s seen a significant deterioration in his friend since her diagnosis. ‘The last time I saw her, she recognised me when I walked in,’ he recalls. ‘But after five minutes she didn’t know who I was.’
Looking through photos with Scott took Ross on a trip down memory lane to their time in Albert Square. ‘I’m still bald, but much younger-looking!’ he laughs. ‘I remember walking her onto the set on her first day. She said, “I can’t believe I’m doing this!” and promptly threw up! It was the start of a friendship that has endured.’
Ross’ relationship with the couple was key to getting them on board, he adds.
‘Scott trusts me to be fair and honest,’ he explains.
‘And we both love Barbara, but for him it’s a different love – she’s the love of his life, for the past 30 years. It’s a testament to him that he agreed to get involved.’