Barbara Windsor's husband Scott Mitchell runs marathon for late wife

London Marathon 2021: Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell runs for his late wife as he joins EastEnders star Tanya Franks and Olympian James Cracknell at COVID-delayed event

Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell led celebrities running in the London Marathon on Sunday as he ran for his late wife in a bid to raise funds to combat the illness she died from.

The legendary actress died at the age of 83 in December last year after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, and former actor Scott, 58, took part in this weekend’s race in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Scott became an ambassador of the charity in August this year after he and Dame Barbara campaigned for the organisation for years after her diagnosis. 

Heartfelt cause: Dame Barbara Windsor’s husband Scott Mitchell, 58, led celebrities running in the London Marathon on Sunday as he ran for his late wife who died from Alzheimer’s in 2020

He was spotted before the race in his running gear as he posed with his two teammates who were also running in memory of Dame Barbara, with the trio raising a total of £170,000 at the time of writing via their Just Giving page.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Thursday ahead of the run, Scott said: ‘She’s constantly with me. She’s constantly on my mind. I dream about her a lot.

‘I talk to her when I’m running. I think you do it, it’s part of grieving and we all go through, unfortunately, those things when you do grieve.’

Funds: He was spotted before the race in his running gear as he posed with his two teammates who were also running in memory of Dame Barbara, with the trio raising a total of £170,000

A number of other stars took part in the London Marathon this weekend, including EastEnders actress Tanya Franks, 54.

The star, who plays Rainie Cross in the BBC soap, also ran for Alzheimer’s Research UK in the name of her step-father Derek.

The actress smiled at the start line before setting off on the 26.2 mile race

Star power: EastEnders actress Tanya Franks, 54, who plays Rainie Cross in the BBC soap, also ran for Alzheimer’s Research UK in the name of her step-father Derek

She explained on her Virgin Money Giving page how her step-father was known as ‘The Memory Man’ but how he ‘doesn’t always remember his age’ and how he longs to play his beloved piano. 

Tanya hopes ‘life-changing preventions, treatments and, one day, a cure for dementia can be delivered’.

Olympian James Cracknell, 49, also ran in the London Marathon this year. 

Sporty: Olympian James Cracknell, 49, was seen at the start wearing a white T-shirt and black Adidas shorts before setting off

Ready, steady: James was seen at the front as he prepared to set off with his fellow runners in the London race

He was seen at the start wearing a white T-shirt and black Adidas shorts before setting off. 

Meanwhile, Chris Evans looked ready for action as he grinned at the starting line of the London Marathon on Sunday morning.

The radio DJ, 55, could be seen smiling and giving a thumbs up as he stood with his hands in the air ahead of the event, which returns following last year’s COVID-19 prompted cancellation. 

They’re off! The sportsman could be seen running in mint green trainers after the crowd was given the go ahead

Ready to run: Chris Evans, 55, looked ready for action as he grinned at the starting line of the London Marathon on Sunday morning

He wore a blue T-shirt and a black pair of shorts before he started the race with his Virgin Radio breakfast team, including Rachel Horne, Vassos Alexander, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Paul Rooker and Showbiz John. 

The broadcaster could be seen wearing a baseball cap and bright orange trainers. He had his number pinned to his leg and wore a colourful snood around his neck.

Chris posed with the rest of his team before the marathon started, with the pictured being posted on the official Virgin Radio Twitter account.

Host with the most: The Virgin Radio DJ could be seen smiling and giving a thumbs up as he stood with his hands in the air

A message read: ‘Good luck to the everyone running the @LondonMarathon today!’ 

The London Marathon is returning this year after last year’s event was delayed from April to October and then held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Chris has taken part in the event for the last seven years and in 2019 ran in aid of Dementia Revolution. 

Chris released a book earlier this year titled 119 Days To Go, which he released with the aim of helping people run their first marathon. 

He previously told The Sunday Times Magazine: ‘Why did I start running? Because God told me to.

‘I wasn’t even aware He/She/It and I were still on speaking terms, let alone willing to work together for the sake of some much required midlife restoration.’

The whole gang: Chris is running with his Virgin Radio breakfast team, including Rachel Horne, Vassos Alexander, Dr Rangan Chatterjee, Paul Rooker and Showbiz John

Dream team: Newsreader Rachel Horne, who appears on Chris’s Virgin Radio breakfast show, is running along with her co-workers

Finish line: Chris looked delighted to have finished the race, raising his hands in the air as he crossed the finish line

Posing up a storm: The broadcaster could be seen with other members of his team after they completed the marathon

More than 40,000 people have hit the streets of the UK capital to take part in the London Marathon a year after the event was cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions. 

There was a dry start to the race but cloudier skies, sunny spells and brisk winds were expected, according to the Met Office.

Last year’s marathon was replaced by a virtual run where participants chose their own route and a further 40,000 participants will earn their medal by taking part in the virtual event this year.

Sunday’s outing was the first time the two events took place simultaneously. 

Early riser: Dr Rangan Chatterjee was up at 5am to collect his marathon number as he prepared to run with Chris and the Virgin Radio team

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