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'FRUSTRATING TIME'

Dementia-hit Barbara Windsor is struggling during isolation according to close pal Christopher Biggins


DAME Barbara Windsor is struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic because she cannot understand why nobody is visiting her, according to close pal Christopher Biggins.

The EastEnders legend, 82, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, is used to a stream of close friends and family checking on her well-being.

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 Dame Barbara Windsor, who has Alzheimer's, is struggling during lockdown as she cannot understand why her friends aren't visiting her
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Dame Barbara Windsor, who has Alzheimer's, is struggling during lockdown as she cannot understand why her friends aren't visiting herCredit: Rex Features

Speaking to The Sun, Biggins, 71, said: “She’s a little confused as to what’s going on because no one can visit her.

“She’s used to having a lot of visitors but now she’s asking why people have stopped coming to see her.

“It’s not because she thinks ‘they don’t like me’ because her husband Scott explains to her but she just forgets the explanation and she asks all the time.

“So it’s a frustrating time for them both.”

 Her close friend Christopher Biggins says 'she’s used to having a lot of visitors but now she’s asking why people have stopped coming to see her'
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Her close friend Christopher Biggins says 'she’s used to having a lot of visitors but now she’s asking why people have stopped coming to see her'Credit: Rex Features

Meanwhile theatre legend Biggins believes it will be a “miracle” if panto season takes place this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He believes the festive shows should be rested for 2020, despite the bleak consequences for national theatres.

Biggins, who is due to star in Jack and the Beanstalk in Dartford, Kent, explains: “I honestly do believe this is the year we have to rest pantomime down and come back with a vengeance in 2021.

“As a performer of my age standing on the stage in front of 1500 people sneezing and coughing and doing all sorts of things at me, I worry.

 Biggins says that her husband Scott tries to explain but Babs can't take it in
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Biggins says that her husband Scott tries to explain but Babs can't take it inCredit: PA:Press Association
 He added that it's been 'a frustrating time for them both' during the pandemic
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He added that it's been 'a frustrating time for them both' during the pandemicCredit: Rex Features

“Also, how are they going to let people into the theatres?

"They can’t stagger them in two metres apart and they can’t watch with masks on, how’s that going to help the laughter?

“And we can’t be two metres apart on stage. What about the poor cow in our pantomime? That’s someone is right up their a***.

“So we’d have to cut the cow from the show and we can’t have that.”

And on the devastating effect no panto season will have on theatres, he added: “It’s touch and go most years for theatres surviving and up until now they’ve been kept alive for at least six months because of the money made from pantomime.”

 Panto legend Biggins also spoke about his upcoming gig in Dartford this Christmas, which he says should now be called off
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Panto legend Biggins also spoke about his upcoming gig in Dartford this Christmas, which he says should now be called off

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Dame Barbara Windsor says Alzheimer's is a 'cruel illness' in Good Morning Britain video


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