Wendy Richard Dies

Wendy Richard's funeral took place at St Marylebone Parish Church in central London. The former EastEnder passed away after battling cancer in London's Harley Street Clinic at the age of 65.

More than 100 EastEnders stars, past and present, bade a tearful farewell to the much-loved actress. Pallbearer Todd Carty, Barbara Windsor, Steve McFadden, Patsy Palmer, Letitia Dean, June Brown, Michelle Collins, Dean Gaffney, Adam Woodyatt, Pam St Clement and Anna Wing (the actress who had played her screen mother Lou Beale) are just a few of the many cast members that attended. They joined legions of well-wishers from the world of show business, including Paul O'Grady and Fern Britton, to remember the acclaimed actress.

Mourners - who were given an order of service including Wendy Richard's favourite chilli con carne recipe - paid a loving tribute to the star. Actors Todd Carty and Trevor Bannister all gave readings before In The Mood by Glenn Miller and the 1960s hit Spirit In The Sky were heard blaring out from loudspeakers. During his reading Todd, who played her screen son Mark Fowler, remembered his last message from Wendy. Referring to an accident he had skating on ITV hit series Dancing On Ice, she apparently told him he was not being paid enough. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, she had beaten the disease twice previously. Wendy married her long-term partner John Burns after learning the devastating news that the cancer had returned to her left armpit during an annual check-up.

Born Wendy Emerton on July 20, 1943 in Middlesbrough, but raised in London, she had originally wanted to be an archaeologist. Her father committed suicide when she was 11 and her mother died 17 years later. After leaving school at 15, Wendy worked in the fashion department of luxury Piccadilly store Fortnum and Mason but soon departed for the Italia Conti Academy stage school. An early taste of fame came in the form of a 1962 Mike Sarne hit entitled Come Outside; Wendy can be heard on the record resisting his advances. Thanks to her leggy, blonde looks, she secured a role in the Albert Finney film Gumshoe. In addition, if you look closely, you'll spot her carrying on with Sid James and his team in the hit films Carry On Girls and Carry On Matron.

On television, Wendy appeared in numerous popular shows of the day including: The Likely Lads, Dad's Army, Please Sir and On the Buses. But before EastEnders, she was best known as Miss Shirley Brahms, the glamorous but dippy shop assistant in the long-running BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? She played the role from 1972 to 1985. She then auditioned for a new BBC soap opera called EastEnders…

As downtrodden Pauline Fowler, with her domineering mother, weak husband, troublesome children, beige cardigan and laundry bags, Wendy Richard became one of Britain's most recognisable actresses. It's a testament to her acting skills that she made the transition from comedy to drama with great aplomb. For 21 years we watched her, as Pauline, rule over her East End family with a will of iron. Her soap matriarch will be remembered for years to come. Find out more about the much-loved actress in our gallery as we take a look at her life in pictures.

• How will you remember Wendy Richard? Leave any messages of tribute here

© PA, additional reporting by Lorna Cooper