Christopher Biggins reveals details of Barbara Windsor’s funeral and says she would have been ‘thrilled to hear the outcry of horror over her passing’
Christopher Biggins has revealed details of Barbara Windsor’s funeral following her death last week aged 83, due to a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Appearing on Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch on Thursday, Panto legend Biggins said he wishes his friend of 40 years could hear all the lovely things being said about her and revealed he will speak at her funeral which will take place in January.
He said: ‘Steph, what I have to say to you is – I wish that when we die, all of us – we had 24 hours looking down to hear what people say about us.
Friends: Christopher Biggins revealed details of Barbara Windsor’s funeral on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Thursday (pictured in March 2016)
He told Steph McGovern: ‘What I have to say to you is – I wish that when we die, all of us – we had 24 hours looking down to hear what people say about us’
‘Because Barbara would have been thrilled. I have never seen such an outcry of horror from everybody that she died.
‘She was the most extraordinary woman and she was a friend of mine for 40 years and she was so special.
‘We went on holiday together and we did shows around the country. We’ve been everywhere. She was extraordinary.’
Steph (pictured) listened as he said: ‘She was the most extraordinary woman and she was a friend of mine for 40 years and she was so special’Sad tyime
Sad: Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and made the news public in 2018 – Biggins said: ‘I have never seen such an outcry of horror from everybody that she died’
Dame Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 and made the news public in 2018.
The NHS website states: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in the UK.
Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities.
Barbara went into a care home earlier in the year as her health deteriorated.
Christopher, 72, who was on the show to promote his appearance on the Masterchef Christmas special praised Barbara’s husband, Scott Mitchell, 57, who married Barbara in April 2000.
So many memories: Biggins, who has been friends with Barbara for 40 years, will speak at her funeral and wishes she could hear what people are saying about her (pictured in 1995)
He said: ‘Her husband Scott is an angel, he’s a saint…He has been fantastic and it has been awful for him because with her condition, I didn’t realise with Alzheimer’s, you forget to eat and you forget to drink so that is how many people die with the condition.
But he’s [Scott] always been there. Everybody poo-pooed that marriage because they said there was a huge amount of difference between their ages.’
Asked by Steph if Christopher had spoken to Barbara’s husband Scott, he replied: ‘I have, I’m very honoured because you can only have 30 people at the funeral, and I am one of the speakers.
![He said: 'Her husband Scott, [57], is an angel, he's a saint…He has been fantastic' (pictured in April 2019)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/14/09/36734716-9050761-By_her_side_In_June_Ross_said_Barbara_s_battle_had_a_severe_effe-a-12_1607939858496.jpg)
He said: ‘Her husband Scott, [57], is an angel, he’s a saint…He has been fantastic’ (pictured in April 2019)
‘Anna Karen is speaking about her early life, I’m speaking about the middle part of her life and Ross [Kemp] from EastEnders is talking about that part of her life.
‘It will be very, very sad. I wish there was a way that we could record it so people can watch it online.
‘It’s going to be a terrible day, it’s in January but we’re all there for him and for her. She was very special.’
Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.
In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society