Dokko Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 EastEnders Star Wendy Richard Dies At 65 Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died after suffering from breast cancer. The television star died in the Harley Street Clinic in London with her husband John Burns by her side. Her agent Kevin Francis said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end." Wendy, 65, was best known for her 21-year role as Pauline Fowler in EastEnders. She battled breast cancer in the mid-1990s and in 2002 before the disease went into remission for several years. But she was told last year that it had returned in an aggressive form, attacking her kidneys, bones and spine. Wendy Richard Wendy with her MBE In October, she revealed in a newspaper interview that her cancer was terminal. See a gallery of Wendy's life in pictures. Sky's entertainment correspondent Matt Smith said: "For a generation, she'll be remembered as the stern matriarch of Albert Square, but that role really came quite late in her career. "For a long time in the '70s, she played for laughs - namely as Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served." Michael Cashman MEP, who played Colin Russell in EastEnders, told Sky News: "It's very sad news. "Wendy will live on. I've got so many happy memories of working with her." She will be missed by a huge number of fans because she has given us so much pleasure over many years. - Esther Rantzen Minder star Shane Ritchie, who worked alongside Wendy on EastEnders playing Alfie Moon until 2005, said he was "absolutely devastated" by news of her death. He said: "I send all my love to John and her immediate family." Presenter Dale Winton, an old family friend of Wendy's, said: "I'm very saddened to hear the news, she was a real fighter and actually a very kind and funny lady in her own right. "My thoughts are with her family, she will be missed." Friend and broadcaster Esther Rantzen said: "She was courageous, honest, a brilliant talent and she will be greatly missed. "She was a woman of huge integrity, she was a terrific, terrific lady. "She will be missed by a huge number of fans because she has given us so much pleasure over many years." Wendy Richard Wendy in 1987 Wendy was born Wendy Emerton on July 20, 1943. She was educated at the Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, Herts, and then at the Italia Conti Academy stage school in London. She was first introduced to television audiences as Joyce Harker, a regular in the BBC's 1960s soap The Newcomers. She also had roles in Dad's Army, Up Pompeii! and The Likely Lads. But she became famous when she played Cockney shop assistant Shirley Brahms in the 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served? She joined EastEnders as matriarch Pauline Fowler when the programme began in 1985 and remained in it until 2006, when her character died. Wendy was awarded an MBE for services to television in 2000 and in 2007 she was awarded a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement for her role in EastEnders. Her first three marriages ended in divorce. She lived with her partner of 12 years, John Burns and the pair married on October 10 last year. More follows... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northerngimp Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Poor woman. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezGiven Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Would have done. http://pages.prodigy.net/glc/wrhp/image/cold2.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gash Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 RIP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Heneage Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 RIP, wondered where she'd gone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.S.R. Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 She wasn't a 'celeb', she was an actress. Leave that kind of label to the talentless plebs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dokko Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 She wasn't a 'celeb', she was an actress. Leave that kind of label to the talentless plebs. Too true. Sorry about that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Optimistic Nut Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Never knew she was born in the North-East mind. RIP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilko Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 RIP - remember seeing her on Would I Lie To You about 18 months ago and she was quite funny. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toonlass Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 What a shame. A woman with real talent and someone who was dignified to the last. She will be missed. RIP Wendy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decky Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Tribute on tonight after Eastenders for those interested Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedro111 Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 RIP. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 A genuine comedienne - bit wasted in Albert Square TBH but I guess it was regular work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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