Dame Barbara Windsor, 81, speaks about dementia for the first time since being diagnosed in 2014
Her husband Scott Mitchell, who announced he is running the 2019 London Marathon, says there is "still so much of her there".
Monday 8 October 2018 07:11, UK
Dame Barbara Windsor has spoken publicly for the first time about dementia after suffering from the illness for four years.
In a video, the 81-year-old former EastEnders and Carry On star calls on people to run next year's London Marathon in aid of a campaign to raise money and change attitudes towards the condition.
Filmed in her home and wearing a blue Dementia Revolution T-shirt, she says: "I'm asking you to make a stand against dementia."
Windsor says that taking part would "support ground-breaking research to find a cure for a condition that affects so many people, like me. With your help we can and will end dementia with research".
In May, her husband Scott Mitchell, 55, announced that Windsor had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in April 2014.
He has now said he will run the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon for his wife and the millions of people around the world who suffer from dementia.
"The last few years have been really hard for both Barbara and me as we got used to the profound effect dementia has had on our lives," he said.
"I have seen many changes in Barbara since her diagnosis and at times its effects can be stronger than others."
Mr Mitchell, who has been married to the actress since 2000, added that his wife sometimes forgets her condition is no longer a secret.
He said he had "many conversations" with her in recent months to explain that it was no longer under wraps.
"Despite all the changes in Barbara, there is still so much of her there. Her humour, wit and care for others, for example. It is her humour I love the most - we have always laughed a lot."
Mr Mitchell urged anyone who has got a place in the marathon ballot but is unsure of who to run for to "join the Dementia Revolution team with me to show all our loved ones with dementia, like Barbara, that they are not alone and we stand with them".
The Dementia Revolution is a joint campaign by the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Research UK to change attitudes to dementia.
Alzheimer's Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes said: "There are currently no effective treatments to slow, prevent or cure dementia, but scientists are working tirelessly to beat it.
"By joining the Dementia Revolution, we can and will end dementia with research."