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Actress Wendy Richard dies at 65 Actress Wendy Richard dies at 65
(8 minutes later)
Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died aged 65, her agent has confirmed.Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died aged 65, her agent has confirmed.
The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One soap opera, had been suffering from cancer.The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One soap opera, had been suffering from cancer.
Her agent Kevin Francis said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."Her agent Kevin Francis said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."
Last October, Richard revealed she had an aggressive, terminal form of cancer. Soon after that she married her long-term partner John Burns.Last October, Richard revealed she had an aggressive, terminal form of cancer. Soon after that she married her long-term partner John Burns.
Planned funeralPlanned funeral
Francis said the star passed away in the Harley Street Clinic in London with her husband by her side.Francis said the star passed away in the Harley Street Clinic in London with her husband by her side.
In an interview with the Sunday Express last year, Richard revealed she had already planned her funeral and written her will.In an interview with the Sunday Express last year, Richard revealed she had already planned her funeral and written her will.
She discovered the disease had returned after her usual annual check-up, which revealed cancerous cells in her left armpit. THE CAREER OF WENDY RICHARD 1965 Aged 22, joins the cast of The Newcomers1970-73 Stars in four episodes of Dad's Army as Private Walker's girlfriend, Shirley1972 Plays Miss Willing in Carry On Matron1972-85 Stars as Miss Brahms in the series Are You Being Served?1985-2006 Stars in more than 1400 episodes of EastEnders as Pauline Fowler2008 Films her last TV role as Mrs Crump in Marple: A Pocket Full Of Rye She discovered the disease had returned after her usual annual check-up, which revealed cancerous cells in her left armpit. THE CAREER OF WENDY RICHARD 1965 Aged 22, joins the cast of soap The Newcomers1970-73 Stars in four episodes of Dad's Army as Private Walker's girlfriend, Shirley1972 Plays Miss Willing in Carry On Matron1972-85 Stars as Miss Brahms in the series Are You Being Served? (pictured)1985-2006 Appears in more than 1,400 episodes of EastEnders as Pauline Fowler2008 Films her last TV role as Mrs Crump in Marple: A Pocket Full Of Rye
She told the paper: "Now I have a cancerous growth on my right kidney and the cancer has spread to my bones.She told the paper: "Now I have a cancerous growth on my right kidney and the cancer has spread to my bones.
"It's more aggressive this time, unfortunately, and has spread to the top of my spine and left ribs.""It's more aggressive this time, unfortunately, and has spread to the top of my spine and left ribs."
Ex-EastEnders star Christopher Parker, who played Spencer Moon, said he was "very shocked" to hear the news.
"I knew she was poorly but didn't know it was that serious or it would happen so soon.
"I loved working with her and she looked after me. I have very fond memories of her - she was very funny and witty and had a dry sense of humour and kept us entertained."
In 2000 Richard was awarded the MBE for services to television and in 2007 she was given a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement for her role in EastEnders.In 2000 Richard was awarded the MBE for services to television and in 2007 she was given a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement for her role in EastEnders.
On top of her 21 years on Albert Square, Richard starred in sitcoms Are You Being Served?, Dad's Army and Grace and Favour. As well as her 21 years on Albert Square, Richard starred in sitcoms Are You Being Served?, Dad's Army and Grace and Favour.
She joined EastEnders when the programme began in 1985 and remained in it until 2006, when her character died.She joined EastEnders when the programme began in 1985 and remained in it until 2006, when her character died.
The reason she gave for her departure was because she objected to producers making her character remarry. The reason she gave for her departure was because she objected to a storyline that saw her character remarry.
"I left because I wasn't happy," she revealed in 2008. "Also, I couldn't believe in what they wanted me to do and unless I can find some truth in what I am doing, I cannot play it.
"Pauline remarrying was wrong. Some women never remarry. My mother never remarried after Daddy died. I always had it in my heart that Arthur was Pauline's husband and that was that."