Stars pay tribute to TV ‘great’ Wendy Richard
Feb 27 2009 by Chris Moncrieff, The Journal
TRIBUTES have poured in from across the showbusiness world for actress Wendy Richard who lost her battle with cancer yesterday.
The former EastEnder, described as a great of British television, passed away in London’s Harley Street Clinic with her husband, John Burns, by her side.
Teesside-born Richard, 65, will be best remembered as cardigan-wearing matriarch Pauline Fowler in EastEnders – a part she played for 21 years.
But before joining the soap she was already well-established as an actress playing Miss Brahms in the hit sitcom Are You Being Served?
Bill Treacher, who played Richard’s on-screen husband Arthur Fowler in EastEnders, said: “Wendy and I worked together for 11 years and in all that time never quarrelled. We were both totally professional and I am truly saddened to hear this news.” Richard joined EastEnders when it launched in 1985 and stayed at the soap until Christmas 2006, when her character died.
She was awarded an MBE for services to television in 2000.
Actress Gillian Taylforth, who played Kathy Mitchell in EastEnders, described her as “the loveliest of ladies and a dear friend”.
“I was with her in EastEnders for 13 years and have many happy memories,” she said. “I remember going out with her many times and she made the most wonderful chilli with chocolate in it from a recipe from a chef at the Dorchester and used to make up an extra batch for me as I loved it so much.
“She was very generous like that and had a great sense of humour.”
Minder star Shane Ritchie, who worked alongside Richard on EastEnders playing Alfie Moon until 2005, said he was “absolutely devastated” by her death.
Richard had fought to overcome cancer twice previously, first in the mid-1990s and then in 2002.
After lengthy treatment her cancer went into remission but last year an aggressive form of the disease had returned. It spread to her kidneys and bones and in October she revealed the cancer was terminal.
She married her long-term partner Mr Burns, her fourth husband, at a ceremony in London’s Mayfair in October.
Other big names from the entertainment world showered praise on the star’s achievements.
Comedian Ronnie Corbett said Richard’s work would remain as a lasting tribute.
“What a career she had, from even before Are You Being Served?,” he said.
“I’m very sorry to hear she’s gone.”
Television presenter Dale Winton said: “I knew her as a family friend first since I was a little boy and worked with her many times. I’m very saddened to hear the news, she was a real fighter and actually a very kind and funny lady.”
Richard was born Wendy Emerton in Middlesbrough in 1943 but grew up in London where her parents ran a pub.
She was educated at the Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, before leaving school at 15 and working in Fortnum and Mason’s fashion department.
