Barbara Windsor’s husband says he ‘can’t believe’ she’s gone in first public appearance since her death
DAME Barbara Windsor's grieving husband, Scott Mitchell, has made his first public appearance since her sad death last week.
The iconic actress was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2014 and sadly passed away on December 10, aged 83 with Scott by her side.
The widower presented an award in her name to carer Nassrat Bi for her hard work on the frontlines of palliative care.
He gushed over Nassrat's hard work and thanked the carers who looked after his wife in her final days.
Scott became very emotional presenting the Dame Barbara Windsor Award and explained that as a member of judging panel he had to break his silence to highlight Nassrat's amazing work.
"I was involved in this year's judging, as I was last year, and I think when it came to you and your story nothing could have been more poignant for me at that moment because I know you assist people going through palliative care and their families," he said via video link from his home.
"And that's exactly what was happening to Barbara and that was exactly what was happening to me.
“I read your story and the compassion and selflessness that carers like yourself show is beyond measurable, as far as I'm concerned."
Scott added: "It's incredible and I don't think there are great enough words for you.
"I know what it takes, now, to sit next to someone at the end of life and just have comforting reassuring words coming from the carers.
"To watch your loved one be comforted and be cared for and the relief that gives you and the support to the family, you will never know what it means to loved ones to be a part of that process and to be included and cared for as well as the person who is coming to the end of their life with the disease."
Scott was convinced Dame Barbara would have love Nassrat and is still struggling to get used to the fact that she's no longer around.
"I know Barbara would have adored someone with those qualities and I can't believe only a week ago she was still here and now she's not," he said.
"There's the circle of life. I don't think I can still believe it to be honest with you."
Scott admitted he was unsure if he would be able to present the award because of his grief, but was convinced he had to find the strength after hearing Nassrat's story.
Her father died of Covid this year, but she wasted no time in getting back to work to make sure she was helping others.
"I want to tell you one other thing about your story, which gave me the courage today to do this video for you," Scott opened up.
"That's when I was first asked, I said I thought I would be too emotional, in too much of a state to be able to do it."
He added: "I remember the part of your story where your own Dad had passed away from Covid, and my condolences to you, and after a very short time off you insisted on going straight back to work, to care for other people and to care for their families and I don't think there is a more noble quality or act than that.
"I'm sending you all my love and thanks for everything you do, for what all you carers do.
"So God bless and thank you and congratulations and please keep doing the work you do because without people like yourself Nassrat we would be very lonely and scared in our time of need."
Nassrat, overcome with emotion, sent her condolences to Scott and Barbara's family.
"Dame Barbara Windsor was an icon who worked tirelessly to highlight and bring forward awareness of dementia in the elderly," she said during the award show.
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"I'm lost for words."
Scott, who married Babs in 2000, nursed the Carry On and EastEnders star through her long battle with dementia.