Comedy legend Dame Barbara Windsor has beem diagnosed With Alzheimer's.

The husband of the star, Scott Mitchell, told the Sun that his wife had been told this in April 2014 and explained that the 80-year-old had been taking medication but symptoms had become worse recently. 

"Since her 80th birthday last August, a definite continual confusion has set in, so it's becoming a lot more difficult for us to hide." He explained the reason for talking about it now. "I'm doing this because I want us to be able to go out and, if something isn't quite right, it will be OK because people will now know that she has Alzheimer's and will accept it for what it is."

Barbara Windsor starred in nine Carry On films starting with Carry On Spying in 1964 before finding television fame as formidable pub landlady Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders (pictured).

In 2009 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at The British Soap Awards.