Some time ago, I wrote my tribute to Pauline Fowler (here) when she left soap, Eastenders. Sadly, Wendy Richards, who played the long-suffering matriarch of Albert Square has her own battle on her hands, that of cancer. Wendy Richard’s cancer is particularly aggressive and will require some serious treatment, so, with that, she’s to marry her long-term partner before she dies, reports the Sunday Express.

Wendy said: “I went for my usual annual check-up and they found that some cancer cells had returned in my left armpit.” Despite treatment, the cancer has spread, she added: “The drugs I was given to help had an adverse effect. If anything, they did more damage than good so my health has really deteriorated. Now I have a cancerous growth on my right kidney and the cancer has spread to my bones. Twice I’ve had breast cancer but this is different. It’s more aggressive this time, unfortunately, and has spread to the top of my spine and left ribs. My oncologist said I’ve got several useful years ahead of me but since then it’s got worse.”

Richard first became a familiar face to TV audiences playing Joyce Harker, a regular in the BBC’s 1960s soap opera, The Newcomers. She also made appearances Dad’s Army, Up Pompeii!, The Likely Lads, Benidorm as well as her famous appearance in Are You Being Served? as Miss Shirley Brahms. However, it’s for her role in Eastenders that she’ll be best remembered for.

I’m sure you’ll join us all in our best wishes for Wendy, who has been a staple on the box for as long as most of us can remember. In tribute, let’s listen to her vocals on number one ’60s pop-hit, Mike Sarne’s ‘Come Outside’.