Countdown number-wrangler Carol Vorderman will tell you that she appeared on the very first celebrity version of a British TV show in December 1998, but Carol Vorderman has been getting high on her own supply. 18 months before she gave her Cher in a 1998 episode of Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes, Wendy Richard and Todd Carty from EastEnders graced episode one of Celebrity Ready Steady Cook, and they’d appreciate Vorders giving it a bit less of all that, thank you.
The point being: celebrity versions of TV shows are mostly dross. Not being able to choose from the top drawer of fame, they generally feature the packing peanuts of the TV world. These shows use what might be described as a homeopathic definition of ‘celebrity’, in that this glass of water has a better chance of remembering who any of the cast are than I do.
The cast of Celebrity Race Across the World is different.
The point being: celebrity versions of TV shows are mostly dross. Not being able to choose from the top drawer of fame, they generally feature the packing peanuts of the TV world. These shows use what might be described as a homeopathic definition of ‘celebrity’, in that this glass of water has a better chance of remembering who any of the cast are than I do.
The cast of Celebrity Race Across the World is different.
- 9/21/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Bill Treacher, who played Arthur Fowler on the BBC’s long-running soap, EastEnders, has died. The actor was 92 and passed away on Saturday night after his health had been “declining for some time,” the family said in a statement.
Treacher was an original cast member of EastEnders set in the fictional London borough of Walford. He appeared in the first episode in 1985 and went on to play Fowler until 1996.
The character of Arthur was a family man who was often down on his luck, but had a special penchant for tending his allotment garden. Arthur was ultimately framed for a crime he did not commit and experienced a mental breakdown in prison, later dying of a brain hemorrhage suffered at his beloved allotment a few days after being released in 1996.
After his character was killed off, Treacher appeared in such series as The Bill and Casualty, as well as films including The Musketeer,...
Treacher was an original cast member of EastEnders set in the fictional London borough of Walford. He appeared in the first episode in 1985 and went on to play Fowler until 1996.
The character of Arthur was a family man who was often down on his luck, but had a special penchant for tending his allotment garden. Arthur was ultimately framed for a crime he did not commit and experienced a mental breakdown in prison, later dying of a brain hemorrhage suffered at his beloved allotment a few days after being released in 1996.
After his character was killed off, Treacher appeared in such series as The Bill and Casualty, as well as films including The Musketeer,...
- 11/9/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Bill Treacher, who played Arthur Fowler in EastEnders, has died at age 92.
The news was announced by his family on Tuesday (8 November), who said that he died on Saturday 5 November after suffering from ill health.
Treacher made his debut on EastEnders in its very first episode in February 1985. He was one of the first actors to be cast in the soap and stayed in the role until Arthur’s death in 1996.
In a statement, the actor’s family said that his health had been declining for “some time”.
“Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed,” the message read.
They added that he “was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie”.
Arthur was married to Pauline in the soap, who was played by the late Wendy Richard, who died in...
The news was announced by his family on Tuesday (8 November), who said that he died on Saturday 5 November after suffering from ill health.
Treacher made his debut on EastEnders in its very first episode in February 1985. He was one of the first actors to be cast in the soap and stayed in the role until Arthur’s death in 1996.
In a statement, the actor’s family said that his health had been declining for “some time”.
“Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed,” the message read.
They added that he “was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie”.
Arthur was married to Pauline in the soap, who was played by the late Wendy Richard, who died in...
- 11/8/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
When is a private eye parody not a parody? Stephen Frears’ first feature strikes a delicate balance — its nearly absurd hardboiled lingo outdoes the spoofs, but the story and characters are pitched 100% straight. Albert Finney Is Eddie Ginley, surrounded by a pack of exciting, imaginatively cast actors.
Gumshoe
Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1971 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 88 min. / / Street Date March 19, 2018 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £15.99
Starring: Albert Finney, Billie Whitelaw, Frank Finlay, Janice Rule, Carolyn Seymour, Fulton Mackay, George Innes, George Silver, Bill Dean, Wendy Richard, Maureen Lipman, Neville Smith, Oscar James.
Cinematography: Chris Menges
Film Editor: Charles Rees
Original Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Written by Neville Smith
Produced by Michael Medwin, Albert Finney
Directed by Stephen Frears
At first one thinks it’s a parody, and not a very good one. Then we wonder if Albert Finney is simply taking his Humphrey Bogart imitation out for a walk, as when he...
Gumshoe
Blu-ray
Powerhouse Indicator
1971 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 88 min. / / Street Date March 19, 2018 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £15.99
Starring: Albert Finney, Billie Whitelaw, Frank Finlay, Janice Rule, Carolyn Seymour, Fulton Mackay, George Innes, George Silver, Bill Dean, Wendy Richard, Maureen Lipman, Neville Smith, Oscar James.
Cinematography: Chris Menges
Film Editor: Charles Rees
Original Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Written by Neville Smith
Produced by Michael Medwin, Albert Finney
Directed by Stephen Frears
At first one thinks it’s a parody, and not a very good one. Then we wonder if Albert Finney is simply taking his Humphrey Bogart imitation out for a walk, as when he...
- 4/10/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Chicago – After the massive success of “A Hard Day’s Night,” director Richard Lester was given more money and more creative freedom to direct “Help!,” a film seen as a disappointment by many at the time, including The Beatles themselves, but historically appreciated (as are most things John, Paul, George, and Ringo). The Beatles 1965 classic has been given a loving restoration, particularly in the sound department, and accompanied by interesting special features and attractive packaging. It’s a great gift idea for The Beatles fan in your family.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
How has the movie held up? So-so. It’s easier to appreciate some of the manic energy of the piece, a style that would influence everything from The Monkees to “Spice World,” but the film kind of wears out its welcome in terms of wacky behavior and doesn’t contain nearly enough actual music for a huge fan of The Beatles such as myself.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
How has the movie held up? So-so. It’s easier to appreciate some of the manic energy of the piece, a style that would influence everything from The Monkees to “Spice World,” but the film kind of wears out its welcome in terms of wacky behavior and doesn’t contain nearly enough actual music for a huge fan of The Beatles such as myself.
- 7/2/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – After the massive success of “A Hard Day’s Night,” director Richard Lester was given more money and more creative freedom to direct “Help!,” a film seen as a disappointment by many at the time, including The Beatles themselves, but historically appreciated (as are most things John, Paul, George, and Ringo). The Beatles 1965 classic has been given a loving restoration, particularly in the sound department, and accompanied by interesting special features and attractive packaging. It’s a great gift idea for The Beatles fan in your family.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
How has the movie held up? So-so. It’s easier to appreciate some of the manic energy of the piece, a style that would influence everything from The Monkees to “Spice World,” but the film kind of wears out its welcome in terms of wacky behavior and doesn’t contain nearly enough actual music for a huge fan of The Beatles such as myself.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
How has the movie held up? So-so. It’s easier to appreciate some of the manic energy of the piece, a style that would influence everything from The Monkees to “Spice World,” but the film kind of wears out its welcome in terms of wacky behavior and doesn’t contain nearly enough actual music for a huge fan of The Beatles such as myself.
- 7/2/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Calling all Beatles fans… the group’s second feature film, 1965’s Help!, will be released on Blu-ray on Tuesday, June 25 and Wamg is giving away copies to 2 lucky readers.
Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the band’s debut feature film, 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night, Help! follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that revolves around Ringo’s possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police.
In addition to starring The Beatles, Help! boasts a witty script, a great cast of British character actors, and classic Beatles songs “Help!,” “You’re Going To Lose That Girl,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” “Ticket To Ride,...
Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the band’s debut feature film, 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night, Help! follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that revolves around Ringo’s possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police.
In addition to starring The Beatles, Help! boasts a witty script, a great cast of British character actors, and classic Beatles songs “Help!,” “You’re Going To Lose That Girl,” “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away,” “Ticket To Ride,...
- 6/24/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Beatles’ second feature film, 1965’s Help!, is on the way on Blu-ray. On June 24 (June 25 in North America), Help! makes its eagerly awaited Blu-ray debut in a single-disc package pairing the digitally restored film and 5.1 soundtrack with an hour of extra features, including a 30-minute documentary about the making of the film, memories of the cast and crew, an in-depth look at the restoration process, an outtake scene, and original theatrical trailers and radio spots. An introduction by the film’s director, Richard Lester, and an appreciation by Martin Scorsese are included in the Blu-ray’s booklet.
Help!’s Blu-ray edition follows the 2012 release of The Beatles’ digitally restored Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour feature films on Blu-ray, DVD and iTunes with extensive extras. Help!’s restoration for its 2007 DVD debut wowed viewers, earning five-times platinum sales in the U.S. and praise from a broad range of...
Help!’s Blu-ray edition follows the 2012 release of The Beatles’ digitally restored Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour feature films on Blu-ray, DVD and iTunes with extensive extras. Help!’s restoration for its 2007 DVD debut wowed viewers, earning five-times platinum sales in the U.S. and praise from a broad range of...
- 6/12/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Actor best known as the haughty department store supervisor Captain Peacock in the TV comedy Are You Being Served?
The actor Frank Thornton, who has died aged 92, had a flair for comedy derived from the subtle craftsmanship of classical stage work. However, he will be best remembered for his longstanding characters in two popular BBC television comedy series – the sniffily priggish Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and the pompous retired policeman Herbert "Truly" Truelove, in Roy Clarke's Last of the Summer Wine.
Robertson Hare, the great Whitehall farceur, told him: "You'll never do any good until you're 40." And, said Thornton, "he was quite right." In the event, he was 51 when David Croft, producer of another long-running British staple, Dad's Army, remembered the tall, long-faced actor from another engagement and decided to cast him as the dapper floor-walker in charge of shop assistants played by Mollie Sugden, Wendy Richard,...
The actor Frank Thornton, who has died aged 92, had a flair for comedy derived from the subtle craftsmanship of classical stage work. However, he will be best remembered for his longstanding characters in two popular BBC television comedy series – the sniffily priggish Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? and the pompous retired policeman Herbert "Truly" Truelove, in Roy Clarke's Last of the Summer Wine.
Robertson Hare, the great Whitehall farceur, told him: "You'll never do any good until you're 40." And, said Thornton, "he was quite right." In the event, he was 51 when David Croft, producer of another long-running British staple, Dad's Army, remembered the tall, long-faced actor from another engagement and decided to cast him as the dapper floor-walker in charge of shop assistants played by Mollie Sugden, Wendy Richard,...
- 3/19/2013
- by Carole Woddis
- The Guardian - Film News
It was colourful, it made the city look beautiful, and included plenty of sex – Mike Sarne's film about one girl's lovelife in the capital defines the swinging 60s better than any other
No matter what you accomplish in life, a novelty hit casts a long shadow. David Bowie manages to get through most days without people shouting "laughing gnome" at him, but Mike Sarne is certainly best remembered for his No 1 single, Come Outside, a record that also introduced us to his (vinyl only) girlfriend, Wendy Richard. History is less quick to recall that he became a photographer of note, dated Brigitte Bardot and directed a film that competed for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
That film, Joanna, may be the ultimate swinging London film: it's colourful, makes the city look beautiful, includes plenty of sex and is even fairly believable. "I pitched it as the female Alfie," recalls Sarne,...
No matter what you accomplish in life, a novelty hit casts a long shadow. David Bowie manages to get through most days without people shouting "laughing gnome" at him, but Mike Sarne is certainly best remembered for his No 1 single, Come Outside, a record that also introduced us to his (vinyl only) girlfriend, Wendy Richard. History is less quick to recall that he became a photographer of note, dated Brigitte Bardot and directed a film that competed for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
That film, Joanna, may be the ultimate swinging London film: it's colourful, makes the city look beautiful, includes plenty of sex and is even fairly believable. "I pitched it as the female Alfie," recalls Sarne,...
- 4/21/2011
- by Bob Stanley
- The Guardian - Film News
Big Brother returns with a bang tomorrow night and Big Brother’s Little Brother presenter George Lamb promises that his spin off show will be ‘revolutionary.’
Speaking to Channel 4’s Big Brother website, George Lamb revealed some of the changes planned to Bblb saying:
It’s very different from everything you’ve seen before. I have no audience, I have a co-host now. It’s going to be revolutionary Bblb and hopefully we’ll go out with a bang!
On working with his new co-host Emma Willis George added:
Having a co-host is a lovely lovely thing. I’ve really enjoyed Emma’s company and working with her over the years. Obviously she’s a huge Big Brother fan and she’s been on the show plenty. She was doing all the interactive stuff last year and it was kind of a natural progression. I wouldn’t want to...
Speaking to Channel 4’s Big Brother website, George Lamb revealed some of the changes planned to Bblb saying:
It’s very different from everything you’ve seen before. I have no audience, I have a co-host now. It’s going to be revolutionary Bblb and hopefully we’ll go out with a bang!
On working with his new co-host Emma Willis George added:
Having a co-host is a lovely lovely thing. I’ve really enjoyed Emma’s company and working with her over the years. Obviously she’s a huge Big Brother fan and she’s been on the show plenty. She was doing all the interactive stuff last year and it was kind of a natural progression. I wouldn’t want to...
- 6/8/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
This summer, Big Brother returns for one last, loud and lengthy hurrah, and with it, as ever, is its cheeky and irreverent younger sibling, Big Brother’s Little Brother. At the helm once again will be George Lamb (alongside new presenter and Big Brother obsessive Emma Willis). Here, George looks forward to a fantastic summer, looks back on his favourite moments over the show’s history, and reveals why real men can still cry.
So, George, what can you reveal about what’s in store for us with the last ever Big Brother this summer?
There’s nothing I can tell you yet! What I do know is that they’re going to be pulling out all the stops with the show this year. I think the intention is to really push the boundaries of what we’ve seen before, and make the most of it and create something really special.
So, George, what can you reveal about what’s in store for us with the last ever Big Brother this summer?
There’s nothing I can tell you yet! What I do know is that they’re going to be pulling out all the stops with the show this year. I think the intention is to really push the boundaries of what we’ve seen before, and make the most of it and create something really special.
- 5/31/2010
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Natalie Cassidy has asked Wendy Richard's widower to be the godfather of her unborn child. The former EastEnders star reportedly considers John Burns as a "father figure" and was delighted when he immediately agreed to the role, reports The People. Burns was the long-term partner of Richards, who died a year ago from cancer. A source said: "She couldn't (more)...
- 4/18/2010
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Pauline Fowler - played by the late Wendy Richard - bowed out of EastEnders on Christmas Day 2006 after collapsing beneath the tree next to her husband Arthur's bench in the middle of the Square. After lying about having a terminal brain tumour, Pauline ostracised herself from her friends and family and became a bitter, lonely woman right to the end. Pauline resolved to leave Walford for a new life in America with her daughter Michelle but during a final showdown with Sonia, Pauline's iconic fruit bowl was smashed as Sonia knocked Pauline herself (more)...
- 2/17/2010
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
EastEnders actress Pam St Clement has admitted that she found it "difficult" to be at work following the deaths of her former co-stars Mike Reid and Wendy Richard. Reid, who played St Clement's on-off screen partner Frank Butcher on the soap, passed away in June 2007 after suffering a heart attack. He had made his final Walford appearance nearly two years earlier. Meanwhile, Richard - best known as Albert Square's Pauline Fowler - died in February last year following a battle with cancer. The 65-year-old had left the soap in 2006. Reflecting on the loss of her colleagues, St Clement told The People: "Over the years, you spend so much time (more)...
- 2/16/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
A charity sale of clothes belonging to the late EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has gone ahead in London today. As expected, a section of high street store Selfridges was revamped with a special Are You Being Served? theme for the event. Richard played Miss Brahms on the BBC sitcom between 1972 and 1985. The star's former EastEnders colleagues Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler), June Brown (Dot Branning), Laila Morse (Mo Harris) and Ricky Groves (Garry Hobbs) were among those helping to serve customers today. Are You Being Served? actor Nicholas Smith, best known (more)...
- 1/19/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
A group of British celebrities is remembering the life of actress Wendy Richard, who died of cancer last February.
The cast of British soap Eastenders – which featured Richard – will create a real-life version of one of her earlier shows, Are You Being Served, by helping out at a charity store at Selfridges in London.
Are You Being Served star Nicholas Smith will join Eastenders’ Natalie Cassidy and June Brown to sell designer outfits and accessories owned by the actress to benefit the Lady Traverners, which helps young people with special needs take part in sports.
Read more...
The cast of British soap Eastenders – which featured Richard – will create a real-life version of one of her earlier shows, Are You Being Served, by helping out at a charity store at Selfridges in London.
Are You Being Served star Nicholas Smith will join Eastenders’ Natalie Cassidy and June Brown to sell designer outfits and accessories owned by the actress to benefit the Lady Traverners, which helps young people with special needs take part in sports.
Read more...
- 1/7/2010
- Look to the Stars
The wardrobe of late EastEnders actress Wendy Richard is to be sold off for charity, it has been announced. Outfits owned by the soap star will go on sale at Selfridges in London on January 19 in a special Are You Being Served?-themed event. A section of the store will be revamped to recreate the show's old-fashioned atmosphere, BBC News reports. Richard played Miss Brahms in the BBC sitcom between 1972 and 1985. She later found further success in her role as Walford's Pauline Fowler. Money raised from the sale will be donated to The Lady Taverners, which helps children with special needs to take part in sports. (more)...
- 1/6/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Ex-'EastEnders' star Wendy Richard's widower said he is ''sickened'' by rumours of a relationship with Natalie Cassidy. John Burns blasted suggestions he is anything more than friends with Natalie - one of Wendy's closest confidants, and former on-screen daughter in law Sonia Jackson in the BBC soap - telling how she did everything in her power to help him come to terms with Wendy's death from cancer in February. John,45, said: ''The insinuations were ridiculous. It made me very angry but I was more angry for Nat than anything. ''It felt like if I was laughing or joking with Nat, I had ..
- 12/28/2009
- Virgin Media - TV
The husband of the late Wendy Richard has blasted rumours that he was romantically linked with her former EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy. However, John Burns, 45, said that Cassidy was one of his greatest confidantes following Richard's death from cancer in February. He also revealed to The Mail on Sunday that the 26-year-old lent him £20,000 so that he could pay for the funeral but said that rumours that they might be more than friends were sickening. "The insinuations were ridiculous. It made (more)...
- 12/27/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Natalie Cassidy has revealed her disgust with speculation that there was romance budding between herself and Wendy Richard’s husband John Burns. According to the Sunday Mirror, the rumours were sparked when the former EastEnders actress moved in with Richard’s widower following her co-star's death. Cassidy told the newspaper: "I felt repulsed. I absolutely couldn't believe people in this world could think something like that. "I was devastated when Wendy died and (more)...
- 8/30/2009
- by By Anisa Kadri
- Digital Spy
Wendy Richard wanted her ashes to be mixed with those of her pet dog, it has been revealed. According to The Sun, the EastEnders actress made her wishes known in her will six months before she passed away in February. The star's remains will now be scattered with late terrier Shirley's and those of her husband John Burns when he dies. It has also been claimed that Richard planned to leave her £2 million estate to her former Walford co-star Natalie Cassidy if 45-year-old Burns died within 28 (more)...
- 8/7/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
A selection of stars have attend the unveiling of a plaque in tribute to the late Wendy Richard. Richard's former EastEnders co-stars Todd Carty, Natalie Cassidy and James Alexandrou were among the guests at the Shepherd's Tavern pub in Mayfair, reports the BBC. Richard died in February, aged 65, after suffering a long battle with cancer. She found fame playing Mrs Brahms in BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? and matriarch (more)...
- 7/6/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
ITV1 comedy series Benidorm is switching to six hour-long episodes when it returns this summer, creator Derren Litten has revealed. The actor and writer posted via Twitter: "Don't know if I told you guys, series three all episodes are one-hour long!" The show, which starred the late Wendy Richard, initially ran with six half-hour episodes in 2007. The following year, it was upped to an eight-episode run. Litten also said that (more)...
- 4/28/2009
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
Natalie Cassidy has said that she was on the verge of a breakdown after the death of EastEnders colleague Wendy Richard. The actress told Heat that she had seen a bereavement specialist after Richard's passing brought back memories of the death of her mother seven years ago. Cassidy said: "I wasn't well. I wouldn't call it a breakdown, but I was under (more)...
- 4/21/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Natalie Cassidy has moved in with the widower of her late EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard, a report claims. The actress, best known for her role as Sonia Fowler on the BBC One soap, is said to be living at John Burns's north London home after splitting from her fiancé Ben Porter last month. A source told The People: "Natalie has gone through terrible heartache since Wendy died but she has been a huge source of strength to John. It's terribly sad she has split from Ben. "But the impact of the loss of Wendy has made her (more)...
- 4/5/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
BBC One's Wendy Richard: To Tell You The Truth pulled in 4.62m (20.8%) last night at 8pm, according to overnight viewing figures. The show, filmed before her death last month, followed Richard and her husband John as she went through a course of chemotherapy. BBC One audience figures then dropped to 3.62m (16%) during the 8.30pm screening of Traffic Cops. The channel came top in the 9pm hour, drawing 3.69m (16.8%) with The Hottest Place On Earth. The last episode of BBC Two's Jimmy Doherty In Darwin's Garden took 1.57m (7%) at 8pm, while the final installment of Darwin's Dangerous Idea managed 1.47m (6.7%). Over on ITV1, 4.37m (19.5%) tuned in for the latest trip to The Bill at 8pm. 3.55m (16.1%) stayed with the channel for the final part of Cops With Cameras. The third and final film in Channel 4's (more)...
- 3/20/2009
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
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 (more)...
- 3/15/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Over 100 EastEnders cast members attended Wendy Richard's funeral earlier today, say tabloid reports. Around 1,000 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 (more)...
- 3/9/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Laila Morse has again said that former EastEnders co-star Wendy Richard saved her life by urging her to visit her doctor when she discovered a lump in her breast. The actress, who plays Mo Harris on the programme, told The Sun that she was initially too afraid to get the lump checked. Morse said: "Wendy rang and asked if I'd been to the doctors. I told her I had and she asked me what they'd said. "I told her it was just a mammary gland and nothing to worry about. It was a lie. I hadn't been. I knew from the tone of her voice that Wendy didn't believe me." (more)...
- 3/5/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Todd Carty has said that late EastEnders star Wendy Richard was like a second mother to him. Carty told The Mirror that the pair had struck up a 20-year friendship after they were cast as mother and son Pauline and Mark Fowler on EastEnders. Carty said: "I knew from the start that we would get along. From that day, she watched my back and fought my corner. "She quickly became a second mum to me. Together with Bill Treacher (Arthur Fowler) and Sue Tully (Michelle Fowler) we had a tight family unit, a solid chemistry, which I hope came across on screen." "When I was (more)...
- 3/2/2009
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
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 (more)...
- 3/1/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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 (more)...
"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 (more)...
- 2/27/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Wendy Richard called fellow cancer sufferer Jade Goody to give her support just days before she died. Goody's publicist Max Clifford confirmed that the late EastEnders star phoned his client to congratulate her on her wedding on Sunday, reports Pa. Richard, whose TV career spanned four decades, died yesterday with her husband John Burns by her side. Tributes have since been pouring in for (more)...
- 2/27/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
BBC One's Wendy Richard: A Tribute pulled in 5.31m (21.9%) last night, according to overnight viewing figures. The show, which replaced the planned Rogue Traders transmission between 8pm and 8.30pm, looked at the life and career of ex-EastEnders star Wendy Richard after she passed away yesterday. The MasterChef final, which saw the winner crowned, took an average of 5.16m (20.9%) for BBC Two during the 8pm hour, peaking with 5.99m (23.5%) at 8.50pm. 4.32m watched The Bill on ITV1, while Channel 4's 10 Years Younger: The Challenge interested 1.69 (6.9%). Five managed 990k (4%) with Steam Train Monster Moves, a documentary which followed professionals in their attempt to transport a vintage locomotive across two continents. Billy Connolly: Journey To The Edge Of The World led the 9pm hour for ITV1 with an average (more)...
- 2/27/2009
- by By Dan French
- Digital Spy
Last night's EastEnders was the most-watched programme of the day, attracting 9.29m (40.5%) at 7.30pm. The episode, which was dedicated to late Walford actress Wendy Richard, saw Masood make a shocking revelation to his wife Zainab about their estranged son. The BBC Three repeat added a further 672k (3.6%). Straight afterwards, 5.31m (21.9%) tuned in for Wendy Richard: A Tribute, which profiled the life of the 65-year-old actress who lost her battle against cancer yesterday. Sandy's return to the village in Emmerdale was seen by 6.75m (31.3%) at 7pm. Hollyoaks' (more)...
- 2/27/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Tributes have continued to pour in for actress Wendy Richard, who died from cancer this morning. Mollie Sugden, who starred alongside the 65-year-old in Are You Being Served?, said that Richard would "live on in the hearts of so many people". "How can I express my grief on hearing of the loss of Wendy? She has been part of my life for so long, almost like one of the family. Many happy memories," Sugden said. "She was the daughter I never had and I shall never stop missing her. She lives on in the hearts of so many people who were entertained by her talent and warmed by her charm. It is a sad day and may God bless her." Scriptwriter Jeremy Lloyd added: "Wendy was not only a great friend but brought her extraordinary personality to Are You Being Served?, making her a star member of the cast. I shall miss her very much.
- 2/26/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
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 (more)...
- 2/26/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
British soap star and Eastenders actress Wendy Richard has lost her battle with cancer. She was 65.
Richard, best known for her long-running role as Pauline Fowler in the hit BBC show, passed away at a Harley Street Clinic in London on Thursday morning, according to her publicist.
She was diagnosed with a terminal form of the disease last October, after previously enduring two cancer battles - one in the early 1990s and again in 2002.
However, the cancer spread to her bones and doctors predicted she had just months to live.
The star married her long-term partner John Burns, her fourth husband, soon after the diagnosis at London's Mayfair Hotel.
Richard shot to fame in the U.K. starring as Miss Brahms in hit 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served?.
She joined the cast of Eastenders when the show debuted on BBC1 in 1985, playing the role of matriarch Pauline Fowler for 22 years until her departure in 2006.
The following year, Richard was presented with a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement for her role in the show.
In an official statement, Richard's representative says, "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."
In a candid interview last year, Richard revealed she had made plans for her funeral after she was diagnosed with the deadly illness.
Richard, best known for her long-running role as Pauline Fowler in the hit BBC show, passed away at a Harley Street Clinic in London on Thursday morning, according to her publicist.
She was diagnosed with a terminal form of the disease last October, after previously enduring two cancer battles - one in the early 1990s and again in 2002.
However, the cancer spread to her bones and doctors predicted she had just months to live.
The star married her long-term partner John Burns, her fourth husband, soon after the diagnosis at London's Mayfair Hotel.
Richard shot to fame in the U.K. starring as Miss Brahms in hit 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served?.
She joined the cast of Eastenders when the show debuted on BBC1 in 1985, playing the role of matriarch Pauline Fowler for 22 years until her departure in 2006.
The following year, Richard was presented with a British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement for her role in the show.
In an official statement, Richard's representative says, "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."
In a candid interview last year, Richard revealed she had made plans for her funeral after she was diagnosed with the deadly illness.
- 2/26/2009
- WENN
Actress Wendy Richard has passed away, aged 65. The actress died with her husband John Burns by her side at the Harley Street Clinic, according to her agent Kevin Francis. The star revealed that she was suffering from an aggressive, terminal form of cancer last October. She married Burns, her lover of 13 years, in a ceremony later that month. "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end," Francis told the BBC. Richard's former soap co-star Shane Richie told The Sun that he was "devastated" by the news. (more)...
- 2/26/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Former EastEnders actress Wendy Richard has married partner John Burns at a ceremony in London. The star announced last week that she is dying of cancer, adding that she planned to marry her lover of 13 years before her death. "We were going to get married anyway, but when we got the diagnosis we decided to push ahead and get married now. There was no rush before," she said. EastEnders stars Todd Carty, (more)...
- 10/10/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Actress Wendy Richard is to marry her long-term partner today before she begins treatment for cancer on Monday. The former EastEnders star announced the disease had returned earlier this week. The 65-year-old brought the date of her marriage to partner John Burns forward after a checkup revealed the cancer has spread from her left armpit to her right kidney and bones. (more)...
- 10/10/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Beloved British TV actress Wendy Richard has revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer - but will marry for a fourth time before she dies.
The Are You Being Served? star - famed for playing Pauline Fowler in hit U.K. soap opera Eastenders for more than two decades - has beaten breast cancer twice before, but the disease has now attacked her kidney and spread to her bones.
In an exclusive interview with British newspaper the Sunday Express, she says "It has come as a terrible shock and you just get so fed up. You think, 'Oh, crikey, here we go again', but you just have to buck your ideas up and get on with these things."
Richard, 65, says her dying wish is to wed her long-term partner John Burns, 45.
The couple plan to exchange vows on Friday before starting chemotherapy next week.
She says, "We were going to get married anyway but when we got the diagnosis we decided to push ahead and get married now. There was no rush before.
"I've looked at it from both sides of the coin. If I get better, which hopefully I will, all well and good, but, worse case scenario and I do pass away, John is secure because I have made my will and drawn up what arrangements I would like for my funeral and what music I would like played, so I've tried to think of everything."
Richard has also appeared in two Carry On films, playing a cameo role in Carry On Matron and a supporting part in Carry On Girls.
The Are You Being Served? star - famed for playing Pauline Fowler in hit U.K. soap opera Eastenders for more than two decades - has beaten breast cancer twice before, but the disease has now attacked her kidney and spread to her bones.
In an exclusive interview with British newspaper the Sunday Express, she says "It has come as a terrible shock and you just get so fed up. You think, 'Oh, crikey, here we go again', but you just have to buck your ideas up and get on with these things."
Richard, 65, says her dying wish is to wed her long-term partner John Burns, 45.
The couple plan to exchange vows on Friday before starting chemotherapy next week.
She says, "We were going to get married anyway but when we got the diagnosis we decided to push ahead and get married now. There was no rush before.
"I've looked at it from both sides of the coin. If I get better, which hopefully I will, all well and good, but, worse case scenario and I do pass away, John is secure because I have made my will and drawn up what arrangements I would like for my funeral and what music I would like played, so I've tried to think of everything."
Richard has also appeared in two Carry On films, playing a cameo role in Carry On Matron and a supporting part in Carry On Girls.
- 10/7/2008
- WENN
Former EastEnders star Wendy Richard has spoken out about her decision to quit the soap in 2006. The 65-year-old, who recently revealed that she is dying of cancer, said she left over a storyline which would see her character Pauline Fowler remarry. "Pauline remarrying was wrong. Some women never remarry. My mother never remarried after Daddy died. I always had it in my heart that Arthur was Pauline's husband and that was that," she told the Daily Telegraph. (more)...
- 10/6/2008
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Former EastEnders star Wendy Richard has announced that she is dying of cancer. The 65-year-old actress, who played Pauline Fowler on the BBC One soap, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease in January this year. She has previously fought breast cancer twice. "I went for my usual annual check-up and they found that some cancer cells had returned in my left armpit," Wendy explained. Richard told the Sunday Express newspaper that she has already made out her will and discussed plans for her funeral. "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," she continued. "Now I have a cancerous growth on my right kidney and the cancer has spread to my bones. "Twice (more)...
- 10/5/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.