Dame Barbara Windsor has spoken out for the first time since it was revealed she’s living with Alzheimer’s.
The EastEnders legend left Loose Women panellist Jane Moore, who broke the story, in tears after she sent in a surprise pre-recorded message to the show to wish her dear friend Jane a happy birthday.
In the message, Babs also thanked the public for their “messages of support” and vowed that she “intends to carry on.”
Read more: Paul O’Grady sends message of support to Barbara Windsor
After giving Jane a cake and balloons to celebrate her birthday, Christine Lampard announced that they had a “very special message” for her too.
Jane was baffled until Barbara’s voice could be heard playing through the studio.
Barbara said: “Hi Jane, and all the Loose Women, it’s Barbara Windsor here!”
“I just want to wish you a very happy birthday, darling Jane,” she continued. “Thank you so much for being a loyal and good friend and helping [my husband] Scott share my recent news.”
Babs said the heartfelt messages she’s received from fans “really means such a lot to me.”
“Have a great day and have no fear, as I still intend to carry on, and God bless everyone,” she concluded the message.
The recording brought Jane to tears as she said: “Oh bless, thank you Barbara my darling, because I know you watch the show.”
“We all know Barbara is incredible and Scott is such a support to her,” she added. “Barbara, we love you!”
During Monday’s Loose Women, Jane gave an update on Barbara’s health.
She said: “Barbara’s issue at the minute, the storm she is going through which is her latest deterioration, is her short term memory isn’t great.”
Jane added that Scott was “hugely relieved” that the news is finally out to the public.
Last week, news broke that Barbara was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014.
In an emotional interview with Jane for The Sun, Scott, 55, said he wanted to set the record straight amid rumours in showbusiness circles about Dame Barbara’s deteriorating health.
He said: “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.
“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.”
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