Tonight:
9°c
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
NEW: Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
Wendy Richard speeds up the action on Benidorm with racy swimsuit... and a mobility scooter
Last updated at 14:15pm on 18.04.08Former EastEnders Wendy Richard swaps Pauline Fowler's cardigans for a racy red swimsuit in ITV comedy Benidorm.
The 64-year-old actress plays glamorous, interfering mother Sylvia who ends up in a fight with Madge (Sheila Reid) after she is accused of trying to steal the attentions of Mel (Geoffrey Hutchings).
Wendy's on-screen wardrobe in Benidorm is a far cry from the dowdy, grey cardigans and permanent scowl worn by the Albert Square stalwart.
Scroll down for more...
Benidorm chic: Wendy Richard in her mobility scooter cuts a dash by the pool in a red swimsuit, wedge heels and leopard-print hat
Dressed in a cleavage-baring low-cut red swimsuit, platform wedge heels and leopard-print hat, Wendy's sun-worshipping character could not be any further from moody Pauline.
After setting her attentions on Madge's beau Mel, Wendy's character is soon involved in a scooter face-off with the tanorexic pensioner. The two women quickly come to blows and Sylvia ends up covered in suncream before being thrown in the pool to cool down. Scroll down for more... Scooter face-off: Wendy Richard's Sylvia squares up to Madge (Sheila Reid) as they vie for the attention of Mel (centre) In the drink: And Madge comes off worst as she's pushed into the pool covered in sun tan lotion 
Wendy admits she struggled with the mobility scooter on set.
She said: "It was hysterical trying to get the hang of using the mobility chairs – I don't drive anyway, so I found it extra hard to control.
"If I wasn't zooming into a broom cupboard by mistake, I was knocking over potted palms."
Benidorm is one of Wendy's first acting role since leaving EastEnders last year.
Her character Pauline collapsed and died in Albert Square Gardens on Christmas Day 2006
Face like thunder: Wendy Richard brings back memories of her EastEnders character Pauline as she gets into a heated row
