View Full Version : Wendy Richard has died
The BBC have reported that she has passed away.
RIP Wendy
:eek::eek: No way... RIP Wendy
Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has died aged 68, her agent has confirmed.
The star, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC One show, had been suffering from cancer.
Obituary: Wendy Richard
As downtrodden Pauline Fowler with her beige cardigan, laundry bags and bottle-blonded efforts at glamour, Wendy Richard, who has died aged 68, was one of Britain's most recognisable actresses.
Ruling over her East End family with a will of iron and occasionally kitchen utensils, Pauline was, until 2006, one of only two characters to remain in the series from the very first episode in 1985.
Ian Beale, played by Adam Woodyatt, was the other.
During nearly two decades in the soap, Wendy Richard's character buried her husband, mother and brother, supported her daughter's teenage pregnancy, and coped with her son's HIV-positive condition.
Such episodes were no more traumatic than events in Wendy Richard's own life. Her parents ran a pub where Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain, used to drink.
Richard's father committed suicide when she was 11, and her mother died 17 years later. Left without any family, Richard also suffered three divorces, blaming her stressful career for the third.
Comedy credits
Born Wendy Emerton in Middlesbrough but raised in London, she had originally wanted to be an archaeologist. She left school at 15, though, and worked in the fashion department of luxury Piccadilly store Fortnum and Mason.
She headed off to drama school and soon changed her name to "something short and neat". Her leggy, blonde looks soon secured her a role in the Albert Finney film Gumshoe, and on television she appeared in The Likely Lads, Dad's Army and Please Sir.
Other credits included Bless This House, Help and On the Buses. And she carried on with Sid James and his team in the hit films Carry On Girls and Carry On Matron.
Richard also enjoyed chart success in 1962. She went to number one with Mike Sarne, who continually pleaded with her to Come Outside. She was having none of his charm, though, famously telling him to "give over".
Before EastEnders, she was best known as Miss Shirley Brahms, the glamorous but dippy shop assistant, in the long-running BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?
Downtrodden doyenne
From 1973 to 1985, Richard was the resident sexpot of Grace Bros department store and comic foil to the indomitable Mrs Slocombe, played by Mollie Sugden.
The cast reunited for the 1990s sequel Grace and Favour, and Richard even called her own dog Miss Brahms.
But it was as the damaged but undefeated Pauline Fowler that she will be best remembered.
She took no prisoners with her sharp tongue and even resorted to the frying pan when she discovered her husband Arthur's infidelity.
Like the best matriarchs of soap tradition, Pauline's hot temper belied a warm, loyal heart. For nearly 20 years, she was brought to life by Wendy Richard, who said of herself, "I am not a hard person. I cry very easily and my feelings get hurt."
For her contribution to entertainment, she was awarded an MBE in the Millennium Honours List.
di marco
26-02-2009, 14:06
:eek: i couldnt believe it when i read the title! RIP wendy
Chloe O'brien
26-02-2009, 14:33
You know I was just thiking of how she was keeping this week when I was watching the news about Jade Goody's wedding. This is so sad at least she is free of pain.
RIP Wendy.
So sad!! she was a great person! RIP x
tammyy2j
26-02-2009, 15:02
RIP :(
She fought a brave battle
You know I was just thiking of how she was keeping this week when I was watching the news about Jade Goody's wedding. This is so sad at least she is free of pain.
RIP Wendy.
I did too. I wondered how she was.
Chloe O'brien
26-02-2009, 15:14
I hope EE do the same as Corrie and shut down filming for one or two days as a mark of respect.
I am sure they will. I think they did when Mike Reid died.
RIP Wendy, i couldn't believe it when i read the title of this thread :(
this is shokcing news. 65? what kind of an age is that!?
R.I.P Wendy, it actually doesn't seem real this news, it's just so out of the blue (even though I knew she had cancer!) :( :( :(
StarsOfCCTV
26-02-2009, 15:57
Oh no...:( RIP
I wonder whether they will have a episode like they did for Reid, a funeral episode.
Oh no...:( RIP
I wonder whether they will have a episode like they did for Reid, a funeral episode.
she already died in EE so I guess not
Oh no...:( RIP
I wonder whether they will have a episode like they did for Reid, a funeral episode.
No, I would not think so as she has already passed away in the soap. They will dedicate an episode to her though, I imagine.
parkerman
26-02-2009, 16:19
Very sad news. Wendy was an icon of British Television.
I even remember her on "Come Outside" with Mike Sarne which reached no. 1 in the charts.
they'll probably have Ian and Dot sat in the launderette talking about how much they miss her or something like that.
Some of Wendy Richard's former EastEnders co-stars have paid tribute to the actress, who died this morning.
Earlier today, it was announced that the 65-year-old had lost her battle with cancer.
Adam Woodyatt, who plays her screen nephew Ian Beale, said: "I am so sorry to hear the very sad news about Wendy's death. I have many fond memories of our time together at EastEnders and will remember her with affection.
"Knowing that she is no longer in pain and suffering is the only comfort and I hope she rests in peace. My deepest sympathies are with John, their family and friends."
Meanwhile, John Altman - Nick Cotton in the Walford drama - said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear the news today. I always enjoyed working with Wendy, even though our characters were poles apart. I will always treasure the memories of a trip we shared together around the Mediterranean on the QE2 with her husband John and my mother Tina. The world of show business will certainly be a sadder place without her."
John Yorke, head of drama production at the BBC, said of the news: "It is impossible to overstate Wendy's contribution to EastEnders. For 22 years, whether she was bemoaning Arthur's bad luck, cursing her children's wayward nature or reminding us all once again that it was 'all about family', it was impossible for anyone to mention EastEnders without the iconic image of Pauline coming to mind.
"It is hard now to imagine the bravery of casting Wendy as Pauline, so successful and utterly identifiable in the role did she become. She was one of the foundation stones of the show, and with her death EastEnders is diminished. She will be much missed by all of us."
BBC Vision director Jana Bennett commented: "Wendy Richard's death is a huge loss and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones at this very sad time."
She added: "She started in EastEnders in the very first episode back in February 1985, and became an vital part of life in Albert Square right up until her departure in 2006. Wendy made an enormous contribution to British drama – she was hugely respected and will be much missed."
BBC Director-General Mark Thompson said: "I am enormously saddened by the news of Wendy's death. Her countless BBC appearances across decades, especially as Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served and then as Pauline Fowler in EastEnders, lit up living rooms for millions of British families who regarded her as a member of the family. That was an enormous achievement.
"Millions of viewers and listeners across the world will mourn her passing today and and she will be hugely missed."
Tonight's episode of EastEnders will be dedicated to Richard. It will be followed at 8pm by Wendy Richard: A Tribute.
.:SpIcYsPy:.
26-02-2009, 17:45
I totally forgot she had cancer so it came as a shock once again :( RIP Wendy! x
That's so sad. She was always such a massive part of the show and without her, EastEnders wouldn't have been the same. It's such an awful way to go too.. I hope she wasn't in pain :(
RIP Wendy Richard. My thoughts go to her family.
so sad, RIP Wendy
my thoughts are with her friends and family xxxx
DaVeyWaVey
26-02-2009, 18:07
Terrible news :( A real shock too. I knew she was suffering from cancer, but hearing her death was still so unexpected as she put up such a brave battle.
RIP Wendy. My thoughts are with her friends and family.
I saw this on Yahoo news and i couldn't believe it. It's a shock and my thoughts go out to her family and friends. R.i.p Wendy x
*-Rooney-*
26-02-2009, 18:45
very sad, thoughts are with friends and family :(
RIP - prayers to her family and friends
Dutchgirl
26-02-2009, 20:38
Unforgettable as Miss Brahms. And a cornerstone to Eastenders. Sad to losse her this way.
senorita
26-02-2009, 21:40
Am really sad to hear this news. Wendy Richard was a wonderful actress and seemed to be truly loved by all those who had the pleasure of working with her.
My thoughts are with her husband, family and friends.
RIP Wendy, Thank you for many hours of happy tv viewing.
Chris_2k11
26-02-2009, 21:42
Very sad news. Like others have said I knew she had cancer but this still came as a shock, most likely because she hasn't been in the spotlight milking publicity from this illness like a certain other 'celebrity' is at the moment. Wendy deserves a lot of respect for that.
I enjoyed the tribute show after EE too, I didn't realise she'd appeared in so many different shows.
di marco
26-02-2009, 21:44
I enjoyed the tribute show after EE too, I didn't realise she'd appeared in so many different shows.
i watched the tribute show too, and like you i didnt realise she had been in all those other things either
pinkles14
26-02-2009, 22:38
I couldnt watch the tribute show so i hope its repeated at some stage..
So sad R.I.P wendy
*-Rooney-*
26-02-2009, 23:13
i didnt realise this was the third time she had battled with cancer what a shame.
thestud2k7
27-02-2009, 00:12
RIP Wendy
such a tv legend
speechless
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
OMG! Im shocked thats so sad :(
megan999
27-02-2009, 19:18
Such a talented actress. Glad I managed to catch the tribute programme.
I will remember her most for Are You Being Served and Eastenders. Rest In Peace
I was wondering how she was recently too, and didn't know she'd had cancer three times either. It was a great tribute to a brilliant actress. RIP Wendy.
Former EastEnders actor James Alexandrou today paid tribute to his late screen mother, Wendy Richard.
The 23-year-old - who played Pauline Fowler's son Martin Fowler for 11 years - spoke to Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on This Morning about yesterday's news of Richard's death.
He said: "To me, she was mummy number two. She was lovely, caring and always honest."
"I was glad to send her a Mother's Day gift each year," he added. "She liked that. I never wanted to believe she was ill. She was tough as old boots and I thought she would be OK... I collapsed yesterday when I heard the news."
Alexandrou announced his decision to quit the Walford-based soap in April 2006, only days after screen partner Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler) decided to 'take a break' from the programme.
In the August, their departure was brought forward and the pair left two months after Richard's character Pauline was killed off during the 2006 Christmas episodes.
They have always been very close
Natalie Cassidy has paid tribute to her late EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard, describing the actress as her "second mum".
Cassidy, who played Sonia Fowler on the BBC One soap, revealed that she grew close to the Albert Square legend after losing her mother Evelyn to bowel cancer seven years ago.
"I'm heartbroken. It's so sad to lose someone who's so important to me again because of that horrible, horrible word - cancer," Cassidy told the News Of The World.
"I lost my mum to bowel cancer when I was only 19 and after that Wendy and I became so close," she continued. "She cared about me like a mum. I called Wendy my mummy - that's how she would sign off her text messages to me. But she was also a best friend and someone I could talk to about anything."
Richard, who played Sonia's mother-in-law Pauline Fowler, passed away on Thursday following a battle with cancer. She was 65.
"I kept in contact with her husband John Burns every day," Cassidy added. "He told me, 'She went into intensive care but she's cracking jokes and she'll be home soon'. But she took an unexpected turn for the worse. I didn't see it coming."
Cassidy made her final appearance on the soap in February 2007, two months after Richard's character was killed off in the 2006 Christmas episode.
I couldnt watch the tribute show so i hope its repeated at some stage..
So sad R.I.P wendy
it's on the I Player! I managed to catch it Friday, and it was an interesting programme.
EASTENDERS legend Wendy Richard’s screen son James Alexandrou collapsed after hearing she had died.
The actor, who played Martin Fowler from the age of 11, choked back tears as he said yesterday: “I think I was in denial about the whole thing.”
James, now 23, had refused to believe the woman he called “Mummy number two” was so near to death from cancer.
He thought 65-year-old Wendy — who played Pauline Fowler — “was tough as old boots and indestructible”, adding: “I collapsed because I wasn’t expecting it.”
James recalled how Wendy told him when he first joined the BBC soap “we were now a family and I had to work very hard and act my best”.
He added: “She brought me up on set and taught me to be a lovely young professional.”
And he revealed how every Mother’s Day he would send Wendy — who had no children of her own — a card.
James and Natalie Cassidy, his on-screen wife Sonia, were among the first to visit Wendy’s heartbroken husband John Burns after her death on Thursday.
Todd Carty, 45, who played Wendy’s oldest on-screen son Mark, revealed how the time he went hurtling into a tunnel on Dancing On Ice had made Wendy laugh in her last few weeks.
He said: “I’m glad I brought her a little joy.”
Actress Laila Morse, 63, who plays the soap’s Mo Harris, has agreed to become an ambassador for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Wendy’s memory.
She said: “It’s my way of doing my bit for her. I’ve had breast cancer and Wendy encouraged me to get checked out.”
Sir Paul McCartney who worked with Wendy on the 1965 Beatles movie Help! also paid tribute to her yesterday.
He said: “She was a lovely lady and a real babe, a really nice girl. We had a lot of fun working with her.
“She went on to do great things. Over the years we’d bump into each other and I would give her a hug.”
alvinsduckie
02-03-2009, 21:00
:crying: aw no, so sorry to hear this. my condolences to the families both on screen and off:heart:
di marco
09-03-2009, 11:56
The EastEnders set will come to a virtual standstill today when more than 100 cast and crew attend Wendy Richard's funeral.
Her co-stars will say a final farewell to the loved soap actress at a church service.
Only a handful of scenes will be filmed on Albert Square by younger members of cast who did not know her.
A source revealed: "Everyone who worked with Wendy wants to be there."
Close friend Todd Carty, who played on-screen son Mark Fowler, added: "We'll give her a great send-off. It'll be a celebration of her life. She was a wonderful person."
Known to millions of BBC viewers as EastEnders' Pauline Fowler, Wendy died aged 65 last month of cancer.
She also starred as Miss Brahms in 70s comedy Are You Being Served.
The BBC said: "It goes without saying that we've reworked filming so people can pay their respects." The service is at St Marylebone Parish Church in Central London.
Chloe O'brien
09-03-2009, 14:11
Why didn't they close the set as a mark of respect. I understand that there maybe cast members who hadn't joined the show until after Wendy left but she was an Eastenders Stalwart. Corrie closed filming for the day when William Roache funeral was being held.
Why didn't they close the set as a mark of respect. I understand that there maybe cast members who hadn't joined the show until after Wendy left but she was an Eastenders Stalwart. Corrie closed filming for the day when William Roache funeral was being held.
William Roache is still alive, his wife died.
Perhaps some members will stay on the set as Wendy had been written out of the soap two years ago and they did not know her. Sarah Roache has been in Corrie and her husband still is. That is all I can think of but I agree with you that they should have closed the set as a mark of respect for Wendy.
Over 100 EastEnders cast members attended Wendy Richard's funeral earlier today, say tabloid reports.
Around 1000 mourners paid tribute to the actress, who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC soap, at St Marylebone Parish Church in London.
Todd Carty, Barbara Windsor, Steve McFadden, June Brown and Ricky Groves were among her former co-stars at the service.
Richard died from cancer last month, aged 65. Her husband John Burns was by her side at the Harley Street Clinic when she passed away.
An EastEnders spokesperson earlier told The Sun: "It goes without saying that we've reworked filming schedules so that any cast or crew wanting to pay their respects to Wendy Richard can of course attend her funeral.
"A large number of those who worked with Wendy will be attending so a minimal amount of filming will continue at Elstree."
When mourners arrived they were given an order of service, which apparently included the actress's famous chilli con carne recipe. The tracks 'In The Mood' and 'Spirit In The Sky' were played at this afternoon's ceremony.
Chloe O'brien
09-03-2009, 20:30
I meant to type William's wife funeral not his. Glad that Wendy got such a large send-off.
Wendy Richard's husband has paid tribute to his late partner, describing the EastEnders star as his "soulmate".
The Walford favourite passed away on February 26 following a battle with cancer. She was 65.
John Burns, who started dating Richard after they met at a London pub 13 years ago, has now spoken about his grief for the first time.
"We weren't lovey-dovey. She would never hold my hand or stroke my arm - most of the time we were squabbling," Burns told the Sunday Mirror. "But there was deep, deep love there. She was my soulmate."
"She was my mate, my wife, my friend. And I miss her desperately," he continued. "But I feel lucky to have known her. That she chose me."
Burns added that the most poignant moment came when he shot the ending of a documentary that he had been filming about his wife's cancer battle.
"She was so brave, wanting some good to come out of the bad," he explained. "She wanted to show people that chemotherapy wasn't something to be scared of.
"When she died, I had to shoot the ending and talk about Wendy not making it. It was incredibly difficult because - obviously - it wasn't how I'd hoped to end the film. We'd all dreamed of showing her coming out triumphant. Sadly, that wasn't to be."
The programme, titled Wendy Richard: To Tell You The Truth, airs on BBC One on Thursday at 8pm.
TRAGIC EastEnders star Wendy Richard poses for her last snap with hubby John Burns — taken for a documentary on her battle with cancer.
The 65-year-old actress made the programme called Wendy Richard: To Tell You The Truth in a bid to dispel fears of chemotherapy.
Screened on BBC1 tonight, it shows Wendy declaring: “One thing you must do is not give up, you must remain positive.
“Don’t give up — it’s not the British way of doing things.”
She adds: “You thank God for every day that you wake up and try to get as much out of each day as each day is a blessing.”
Wendy starred as Pauline Fowler for 21 years after finding stardom in sitcom Are You Being Served?
Also featured are James Alexandrou — her Albert Square son Martin — and Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Jackson).
Wendy died last month in a London clinic with John, 45, by her side.
He says: “Just a few hours before she passed away she was sitting up chatting.
“I went to walk our dog and when I came back they asked me to come quick and said I had to say my goodbyes. She passed away peacefully as I held her hand.”
DOZENS of stars turned out to pay tribute to Wendy Richard yesterday.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/soaps/2518276/Stars-out-for-Wendy.html
Wendy Richard's final acting role has been screened for the first time.
The former EastEnders star, who died of cancer in February, played a cook in an episode of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, while the clip was shown at an ITV press screening.
Richard's widower John Burns told the BBC that she would be "delighted" with the finished product.
Actress Julia McKenzie, who portrays detective Miss Marple, added that Richard was "amazing" during filming last year.
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