Soap stars turn out as Wendy is honoured with plaque

Published on Sunday 5 July 2009 22:12

A STAR-STUDDED audience turned out yesterday to remember actress Wendy Richard as a plaque was unveiled in her memory.

Are You Being Served? creator David Croft pulled the rope 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 cancer, was well known for playing Miss Brahms in the department store sitcom.

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."

Todd Carty, who played Richard's son Mark in EastEnders, said: "She meant the world to me, like a second mum, my best friend."

Carty said she was "a television institution" and admitted he had enjoyed watching her as "the wonderful Miss Brahms" when he was a teenager.

Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia in the BBC soap opera, said Richard was a "true gem".

"As an actress Wendy taught me everything I know.

"She was very, very strict. She knew her character back to front, inside out."

John Altman, 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."

Leslie Grantham, Dirty Den in the soap, 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.

The actress, who was born in Middlesbrough,

died aged 65 at the Harley Street Clinic in central London.