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Actress Wendy Richard dies at 65 Actress Wendy Richard dies at 65
(about 3 hours later)
Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died at the age of 65, her agent has confirmed.Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died at the age of 65, her agent has confirmed.
The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One soap opera for 21 years, had been suffering from cancer.The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One soap opera for 21 years, 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 funeral
Wendy Richard was in EastEnders for 21 years Obituary: Wendy Richard Francis said the star passed away in the Harley Street Clinic in London with her husband by her side.Wendy Richard was in EastEnders for 21 years Obituary: Wendy Richard Francis said the star passed away in the Harley Street Clinic in London with her husband by her side.
'True professional'
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.She discovered the disease had returned after her usual annual check-up, which revealed cancerous cells in her left armpit.
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."
Have Your SayA world without Ms Brahms is a sad place.Richard Smith, LondonHave Your SayA world without Ms Brahms is a sad place.Richard Smith, London
Minder star Shane Ritchie, who played EastEnders' character Alfie Moon alongside Richard until 2005, said he was, "absolutely devastated" by news of her death. Bill Treacher, who played Richard's on-screen husband Arthur Fowler in EastEnders, said the actress was a "true professional".
"I send all my love to John and her immediate family," he added. "We worked together for over 11 years and we never once had an argument," he said.
Mark Thompson, director general of the BBC, said: "Wendy Richard is going to be incredibly missed by the BBC and by our audiences." June Brown, who also co-starred in EastEnders as Dot Branning, said: "I loved working with her. We were good partners, we really enjoyed our scenes and that's why I missed her so much when she left."
Veteran actress, June Whitfield, added: "She was always delightful. "She was a very kind woman, particularly if anybody was ill. She would rush round finding doctors, and she was always giving you unexpected presents," she added.
"I'm very, very sorry. I did not work with Wendy. We met at dos. It's very sad." Veteran actress Mollie Sugden who appeared in Are You Being Served? with Richard described her as "a daughter I never had and I shall never stop missing her".
'Funny and witty''Funny and witty'
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 RyeTHE 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
Presenter Dale Winton had known Richard for years.Presenter Dale Winton had known Richard for years.
"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," he 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," he said.
"My thoughts are with her family, she will be missed.""My thoughts are with her family, she will be missed."
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.
As well as 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 a storyline that saw 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."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.""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."