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Stars shine as Wendy Richard plaque unveiled
A STAR-studded audience turned out yesterday to remember actress Wendy Richard as a plaque was unveiled in her memory.
The creator of the Are You Being Served? TV sitcom, David Croft, pulled the cord to reveal the Heritage Foundation plaque at the Shepherds Tavern, the London pub which Richard's parents used to run.
Richard, who died in February after a long battle with breast cancer, was well known for playing the sexy Miss Brahms in the department store sitcom on BBC TV.
She went on to become a national institution as Pauline Fowler in EastEnders.
The foundation's president, singer Robin Gibb, said: "Wendy was a great British actress. Particularly in America she had a tremendous impact.
"Are You Being Served? in particular was on every single night on TV – for 40 years, every night."
Actor John Altman, who plays TV soap villain Nick Cotton, said: "She was the heart and soul of EastEnders.
"When I went back again she always gave me a warm welcome.
"She was just great company."
Mr Altman said his "happy memories" included a cruise round the Mediterranean on the QE2 with the actress.
Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den in EastEnders said: "She was a great mate. I think she was a terrific person. It's sad she's no longer with us."
He said Richard was the "consummate actress" and EastEnders had spotted her potential to move from glamorous previous roles into something more dowdy.
He said she had dealt brilliantly with the transition from her attractive sitcom role to more serious character acting.
The actress, who was born in Middlesbrough, lived at the pub in London's Mayfair between 1948 and 1953 while her parents Henry and Beatrice Emerton were landlord and landlady.
Richard was her stage surname.
She also appeared in Dad's Army – first as Edith Parrish, and later as Private Walker's girl-friend Shirley – Up Pompeii! with Frankie Howerd and The Likely Lads. Richard also appeared in two Carry On films, playing a cameo role in Carry On Matron and a supporting part in Carry On Girls.
Dozens of her friends, family and former colleagues turned out for yesterday's ceremony, including her husband John Burns.
Among those present were EastEnders stars James Alexandrou (Martin Fowler), Derek Martin (Charlie Slater), Emma Barton (Honey Mitchell), and Letitia Dean (Sharon Mitchell); Are You Being Served? actor Frank Thornton (Captain Peacock); DJ Mike Reid, comedian Les Dennis and Only Fools and Horses actress Sue Holderness (Marlene Boyce).
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Weather for Yorkshire
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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