Barbara Windsor is struggling to remember the names of her friends according to her former Eastenders co-star, Kellie Shirley.
Kellie’s comments come just five months after Babs went public with her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Barbara – who was catapulted into the spotlight in the 1960’s thanks to her appearances in the Carry On films – was diagnosed with the disease in 2014.
But the acting icon and her husband Scott Mitchell decided not to go public with the news until last year.
Now, Kellie, 37, has said Babs, 89, no longer remembers her name.
Speaking to the Sunday Express S magazine, Kellie divulged: “A massive part of being an actor is remembering things. Your memories are such a big part of who you are. That’s why I feel for Barbara. She remembers so much about the past as clear as day yet she won’t remember my name.
“We still have funny moments. It’s not bleak all the time, but it is hardcore. It’s a cruel disease that robs you of your memories.
HEARTBREAKING: Barbara Windsor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014 (Pic: NC)
SPEAKING OUT: Kellie Shirley said Barbara Windsor doesn’t remember her name (Pic: GETTY)
“Any time I’m in town for an audition I’ll meet up with Barbara and Scott for a cup of tea. I’ve always done that. I’m training with Scott so we meet up on a Friday, run together and catch up. I find running so boring so chatting makes the time go faster.”
Kellie went on to reveal that Barbara had been a huge support to her when she started out in the acting world.
She said Babs would provide her with “pearls of wisdom” and share “tricks of the trade”.
Kellie’s comments follow Ross Kemp’s candid interview about his former on-screen mum last month.
ACTING LEGEND: Barbara Windsor shot to fame in the 1960s (Pic: GETTY)
CO-STARS: Ross Kemp still visits Barbara Windsor (Pic: TWITTER/ ROSS KEMP)
Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, Ross, 54, said: “She’s lovely. I go round and see her but it is getting harder.
“I can’t reiterate enough how much Scott is doing for her. He’s going above and beyond in the way he’s looking after her.
“And you’ve got to remember he’s also an agent – he looks after both Lacey Turner and June Brown. So he’s juggling all that.”
He added: “Barbara has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but she still knows who I am.”
