Morning:
14°c
Stalwart TV star Wendy Richard dies of cancer aged 65
Terry Kirby26.02.09
Wendy Richard, the much-loved television actress who played matriarch Pauline Fowler in EastEnders for more than 20 years, died today.
Richard, who was 65, had been suffering from breast cancer, the third time she had fought the disease.
After making her first appearances on television in the early Sixties, she enjoyed a career spanning four decades, twice becoming a household name playing strong female characters.
Richard first became well-known playing Miss Brahms in the popular sitcom Are You Being Served, from 1972 to 1985. She returned to the role in the sequel, Grace And Favour, in 1992 and 1993.
She died earlier today in the Harley Street Clinic with John Burns, her third husband, at her side. Tributes were paid by fellow actors and television bosses.
Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC, said: "Wendy Richard is going to be incredibly missed by the BBC and by our audiences."
He said that she lit up living rooms for so many British families and was like a member of the family.
Presenter Dale Winton has known Richard for many years. 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. She will be missed."
Kevin Francis, her agent, said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."
She endured two battles with breast cancer, first in the mid-Nineties and then in 2002. The cancer went into remission after years of treatment, but last year returned in an aggressive form. She said in an interview last October the cancer was terminal. She married Mr Burns shortly afterwards.
Born Wendy Emerton in 1943, she was educated at the Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, and then at the Italia Conti Academy stage school in London.
Her first television role was in the Sixties BBC soap The Newcomers. She also had roles in Dad's Army, Up Pompeii! and The Likely Lads, as well as the drama series Stranger On The Shore. She appeared in several Carry On films, alongside Barbara Windsor, who also became an EastEnders star.
Richard joined EastEnders as Pauline Fowler when the programme began in 1985 and remained in it until 2006, when her character died.
She later disclosed that her character had been killed off because she objected to certain parts of the storyline, including a tirade against Margaret Thatcher, which she refused to perform. After leaving EastEnders she worked as a presenter for the BBC.
Richard was awarded the MBE in 2000 and a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2007.
Reader views (6)
Wendy was a staple in my home from the 1980s-now. Are you being served? & Eastenders was what played in NYC on PBS-TV.
She brought so much laughter to myself, my family and my friends.
Thank you JOHN BURNS for taking care of our Ms Brahams & Pauline Fowler on her last days.
Thank you and god bless you.
Wendy, you will be so badly missed. Thank you for all the laughter.
I will certainly have a drink for you tonight with my friends. The line we always use on each other for years is a line from AYBS. "What bar was that Ms Brahams?"
- Stephen Goorbarry, NEW YORK CITY.USA
Remember also she had a recording carrer as well?
Mike Sarnes Come outside?
- Bill Williams, Bagnoles France
Wendy Richard is one of a kind and we have been robbed of a great treasure today. Our only consolation is that her suffering has ended but,selfishly, our sense of loss is still overwhelming. Whether being the comic Miss Brahms or the very real Pauline, she was amazing to watch. I thank her so much for sharing her talent, for the enjoyment I experience every time I watch her performances. These feelings I will have everytime I watch her on tv or dvd. But, today, my feelings are of deep sadness for what we have all lost. My condolences to her family, her friends and to us, her fans.
- Jacquelyn Romagnano, Scarsdale, New York, USA
On a day where we listen to the obsene greed of the former chairman of RBS, we get to mourn a lady who lived life for the joy of giving pleasure to others. She may have played the 'common tart' however Wendy Richards leaves a legacy of class and laughter. She will be longed remembered as one of the best comedics the BBC had as well as her enduring role in EastEnders that endeared her to a nation that related to her common heartfelt touch. A light has dimmed but her laughter will continue to touch us all.
- Mark, Hong Kong
REST IN PEACE WENDY, WE HAVE LOST A GEM OF A ACTRESS, ALL IN DIGNITY. CONDOLENCES TO ALL HER FAMILY REGARDS ANNIE
- Annie, london
I first met Wendy at our primary school at St George's Green St. W.1. I met her again in the mid sixties when she worked as DJ at the "Whiskey A Go Go" in Wardour Street. She told me that her parents had run a pub in Mayfair and at 11 years old she had found her father's body after his suicide. Her monther then had to find work as a bar maid. As her father had been a mason, the Masonic Order paid for her private education at the Royal Masonic School which led on to her success. For me she will always be "Miss Brahams" in "Are You Being Served", she made me laugh then but today I cry.
- Jon, London
