Wendy Richard Appreciation Page

SPEAKERS CORNER (n/a) "Wendy Richard" (Like to arrange a speaking engagement with Wendy? This website appears to be the place to go! It's a agency that lines up celebrity appearances "for corporate events". Wendy's page has a very nice photo and a couple of paragraphs about her career and recent work.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (10 March , 2008) "Wendy Richard Reveals She Was Unhappy in EastEnders" (A good catch-up article about why Wendy left the soap, and -- bonus! -- some indication of a couple of the new shows she's working on now: ". . . playing a battleaxe mum in [the second season of the] ITV comedy 'Benidorm', on TV next month. Then she will start filming Miss Marple mystery 'A Pocket Full of Rye' ".)

MIRROR.CO.UK (9 April , 2007) "Miss Brahms Is Back" (Wow! An exceptionally fine interview with Wendy about her recent activities, including details of a new sitcom, written by David Croft, that she will be working on. She also firmly rebuts the plastic surgery rumors, notes that the near future will probably not include marriage, and reaffirms her relief at finally being off the EastEnders machine. And a curious, but most insightful statement:
"I am the happiest I've been and so full of confidence now. I've been in the business 47 years and don't know why I wasn't confident before. I see people at parties who can network a room and I'm not like that. I am just very quiet." Overall, a superb visit with the lady.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (24 March, 2007) "Farewell, John" (Brief article about Inman's funeral and who attended.)

DAILY MAIL (25 March, 2007) "Comedy Stars Gather to Bid Farewell to John Inman" (Well-illustrated article about Inman's colleagues paying their last respects.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (9 March, 2007) "John Inman: The King of Camp" (Review of Inman's career. Wendy provides some brief comments about his work and his personal life.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (8 March, 2007) "John Inman Dies at Age 71" (Article about Inman's passing away clearly reflects Wendy's own concern and sadness at the loss of her friend of many years.)

SUNDAY MIRROR.CO.UK (7 March, 2007) "John Inman Dies at Age 71" (This article about Inman's passing away also interviews Wendy briefly about her late colleague.)

SUNDAY MIRROR.CO.UK (28 January, 2007) "Feel Better in Valletta" (A travel article about a resort in this city in Malta mentions in its last sentence that it's a particular favorite get-away spot of Wendy's.)

BBC CULT (Undated) I Love 1962 - Music "Wendy Richard" (A pleasant little write-up about Wendy's early claim to fame in the pop music world. Unfortunately, the BBC Cult Culture website appears to now be defunct, so the days may be numbered for the article to be accessed. Graced by a photo of Wendy from her 1965 appearance on the comedy series The Likely Lads.)

THE BIOGRAPHY CHANNEL (2006) "Gloria's Greats: Wendy Richard" (Though the webpage is oriented more toward supporting the television show of this name, this page nonetheless offers a very nice and concise biographical write-up about Wendy.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (26 December, 2006) "When Pauline Dies, My Tears Are Real" (A detailed interview with James Alexandrou, of significance mainly because of his very nice words about his departing colleague: "Wendy's like my showbiz mum. I grew up with her and she showed me the ropes and taught me what to do professionally.")

DIGITAL SPY (23 December, 2006) "Wendy Richards' No Regrets" (This entertainment news site is unpleasant to look at and makes itself virtually impossible to navigate without enabling risky ActiveX content. But that said, this is short and tight interview where Wendy talks about the plot surrounding Pauline's exit as well as about her own feelings about leaving the show. In case you can't get to the interview, here is what she said when asked what she'll miss most about Albert Square:
"This is not an easy question to answer! I can remember still my first ever sight of the square and thought it the best back lot I had ever seen. Of course it is much more built up and bigger now, and stands as a great testament to the craftsmen of the BBC. I think it will be the anticipation of walking up on that magnificent set to go to work I shall miss most of all.")

ENTERTAINMENT-WISE (22 December, 2006) "EastEnders' Pauline Fowler Dies Under A Christmas Tree" (Brief article about Pauline's demise.)

FEMALES FIRST (20 December, 2006) "Wendy Richards' No Regrets" (A short article on Wendy's decision to leave EastEnders, nothing that the actress has 'has now turned her hand to TV presenting'. Interestingly, the next day the website celebrityspotlight.co.uk published the same article, word for word.)

AGING CONCERNS (7 November, 2006) "Wendy Richards to Leave EastEnders" (Another short article on Wendy's imminent departure from the series.)

SUNDAY MIRROR.CO.UK (1 October, 2006) "Exclusive: Tragic Pauline Gets Brain Tumour" (Breathless speculation about Pauline Fowler's demise on EastEnders; that's about it.)

SUNDAY MIRROR.CO.UK (24 September, 2006) "Exclusive: Kara's Made Me So Happy" (Well, no, this isn't a quote from Wendy, but rather from James Alexandrou, who talks about his decision to leave EastEnders and how he made sure to tell Wendy before the official announcement went out.)

WALFORD GAZETTE (#55, Autumn, 2006) "The Importance of Being Pauline" (An online version of an article in the hardcopy newspaper produced by EastEnders fans, this marks the passing of Pauline Fowler from the cast of that show) by Keith Newton.

MIRROR.CO.UK (12 August, 2006) "When Will She Smile?" (Just an intriguing paragraph that reports Wendy may, at last, marry again, once 'EastEnders' is behind her.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (9 August, 2006) "Wendy Keeps It Real" (A brief article in the 'Sue Carroll' column that seems to be a compliment to Wendy's insistence that the character of Pauline should have been kept true to her nature.)

DAILY MAIL (7 August, 2006) "Why I Had to Quit EastEnders" (Good article that covers the various reasons she parted company with the show.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (7 August, 2006) "Why Wendy Quit EastEnders" (A couple of paragraphs about Wendy's reason for leaving.)

THE SUN (August, 2006) "Wendy: Why I Quit 'Enders" (A mirror of the print article on the same topic; this covers Wendy's reasons for leaving the soap. It's quite well written and deserves a read. A couple of very nice photos.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (11 July, 2006) "Ender An Era" (More coverage of Wendy's departure, as well as a career review.)

SUNDAY MIRROR (11 July, 2006) "Wendy Richard to Leave EastEnders" (Another report of Wendy's departure from the soap.)

DAILY MAIL (10 July, 2006) "After 21 Years, Pauline Leaves the Misery of Albert Square" (A very well written article on Wendy's announced departure and history on the show. An absolutely superb photo, too!)

TIMES ONLINE (11 July, 2006) "Wendy Richard Quits the Square" (Short and terse statement of the news. A nice -- though small -- photo accompanies.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (10 July, 2006) "Wendy Richard Quits As EastEnders' Pauline Fowler" (Covers Wendy's initial announcement of her leaving the show.)

BBC NEWS (10 July, 2006) "Wendy Richard to Leave EastEnders" (Coverage of Wendy's departure from the soap. Mostly quotes from her official announcement and a review of her storylines over the years.)

BBC NEWS (10 July, 2006) "Wendy Richard's Dramatic Soap Life" (Synopsis of Pauline Fowlers history on EastEnders, and the importance of the character.)

PEOPLE.CO.UK (18 June, 2006) "Exclusive: A Nurse was Passing and Spotted My Swollen Arm . . . (Essentially a softcopy of the extensive People article about Wendy that appeared in the paper on this day. Quite well done; some nice insights. A bit frank on the topic of her illnesses.)

GUARDIAN UNLIMITED (16 February, 2006) Arts - Features "In The Early Days All I Ever Got Were Crying Scenes" (An excellent and well-written interview with Wendy! Polished and positive, it reviews her background, likes and dislikes, and Wendy's relationship with alter-ego Pauline Fowler ("she's all I've thought about for a third of my life") as well as with other various real actors who lend form to the inhabitants of Albert Square, E20) by Emma John.

MIRROR.CO.UK (13 February, 2006) "Exclusive: Wendy: Why I've Never Had Kids" (Despite the title, this is actually an exceptionally well done article about Wendy, and her character of Pauline Fowler, and how the two get along. Some interesting insights about the actress herself as well.)

EVENING GAZETTE (18 February, 2005) The Friday Interview "Star Looks Back" (A surprisingly good article chock-full of quotes from Wendy about her life and about her character of Pauline Fowler from EastEnders) by Keith Newton.

MIRROR.CO.UK (11 February, 2006) "A New Groom Sweeps Clean" (Article mostly just about the ill-fated wedding of Wendy's character Pauline Fowler.)

MIRROR.CO.UK (12 February, 2005) "Square Are They Now?" (Article that traces the whereabouts of actors since departed from EastEnders. Some interesting tidbits on various actors; Wendy of course is noted as still being with the show. No photos provided, unfortunately, and lots of typographical errors.)

BBC NEWS (16 June 2004) Breakfast Feature: "Breakfast in Albert Square" (An interview with Wendy on the set of EastEnders, where she speaks of her character and the show in general. The associated Real Media video clip is of poor quality; check out this transcript, to be sure what was said.)

VIDEOVISTA (November, 2003) 2002 Top Ten column "Women on British Television: Top 10 Female Icons" (A short article about how Wendy has made herself synonymous with Pauline Fowler. She's quoted extensively, though her words are from at least three years ago) by Ellen Chesire.

SUNDAY MIRROR.CO.UK (2 February, 2003) "Jack In Wendy's Doghouse" (Article chock-full of moist celebrity gossip, but does have at least one factual nugget about halfway down the the page when it notes the words between soon-to-be ex-EastEnder Jack Ryder and , well, Shirley the Dog. A couple of cute sketches.)

DAILY MAIL (20 November, 2002) "Wendy Richard Returns to EastEnders" (Update on Wendy's return to work after treatment for her illness.)

ANANOVA (20 November, 2002) article "Cancer-battle Star Returns to EastEnders" (A short article reporting information mostly from Wendy's agent about her return to work.)

BBC NEWS (6 September, 2002) article "Your Wishes: Wendy Richard" (A collection of messages of encouragement and hope for Wendy from folks literally all over the world! Accompanied by a nice photo of her, too.)

DAILY MAIL (5 September, 2002) "EastEnder Wendy in Third Battle To Beat Cancer" (Another article about Wendy's illness, as well as a general recap of her life and career.)

THE MIRROR (5 September, 2002) article "Wendy Richard Finds Lump After Seven Year All Clear" (Go halfway down the page to the article about Wendy, which describes the reoccurrence of her illness, and her reaction, as well as a recap of her career) by Nicholas Methven.

ANANOVA (4 September, 2002) article "EastEnders Star Recovering After Cancer Op" (Go halfway down the page to the article about Wendy, which describes the reoccurrence of her illness, and her reaction, as well as a recap of her career) by Nicholas Methven.

BBC INSIDER (Vol. 3, #3; March, 2002) article "Wendy Richard: Story of A True Survivor"(992 KB PDF file) (This issue of Insider leads with an excellent and positive article about Wendy and her career, covering both the high and low points of her life. It is written very tastefully and with clear respect for the lady) by Michele Street.

BBC EastEnders Revealed ( 2002) article "Meet the Fowlers (Page 2)" (Half way down the page are some very nice retrospective comments by Wendy about working on the EE television show. There's a video clip there too.)

VARIETY CLUB Website( 2001) article "Variety's Hall of Fame" (A nice photo of Wendy and some words from her on the worthiness of the Variety Club charity.)

ROYAL INSIGHT (December, 2001) feature "Out and About" (another report on the Royal visit to EE; distinguished by having three photos with Wendy in them; the first (top) photo is thought by your webmeister to be the handsomest of the shots -- even if our Wendy is in the background.)

TELEGRAPH (29 November, 2001) article "The Windsors make it a double at the Queen Vic" (site requires free registration! A good write-up of the Royal visit to the set; one photo. Mostly talks about Barbara Windsor, though quotes Wendy here and there.) by Caroline Davies.

GUARDIAN UNLIMITED (28 November, 2001) article "And what do you do?" (Good photo of Wendy on set of EastEnders with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.)

BBC NEWS (28 November, 2001) article "Queen tours UK Broadcasters" (Mention of Wendy's role as guide for Prince Phillip, during a Royal tour of the Elstree set of EastEnders. An associated picture gallery of the event has a couple of photos of Wendy (and others of the EastEnders cast), but the images are not the best.

TELEGRAPH (29 November, 2001) article "Queens of EastEnders fight for leading role as royal tour guide" (site requires free registration! A slightly gossipy, but fairly well-balanced report -- no photos -- on the consideration of whether Wendy or Barbara Windsor would play host during the Queen's visit.) by Caroline Davies.

BBC NEWS (10 August, 2001) article "Soaps Battle in TV Showdown" (Wendy comments on the addition of a fourth weekly EE episode. But more interesting is the accompanying Real Media file Actress Wendy Richard who plays Pauline Fowler, which is Wendy's recent appearance on BBC One's Breakfast show).

BBC NEWS (25 July, 2001) article "EastEnders gets Fourth Episode" (Nothing in the article about Wendy, but does include rarely-seen photo of Pauline Fowler.)

DooYoo (22 June 2001) book review "The Northeast's End-Ender" (another very good synopsis of Wendy's autobiog) by John van der Kiste.

ONLINE MIRROR (27 May, 2001) article ". . . If It Wasn't for Wendy, It Would Have Been Too Late!" (Original article has vanished. It was a chat with EastEnders' actress Laila Morse, speaking of her recent brush with breast cancer. She credits Wendy in no uncertain terms with saving her life: "If Wendy Richard hadn't forced me to go to the doctors when she did I truly believe I'd never have gone - at least not until it was too late.")

DooYoo (23 March 2001) book review "Wendy Richard - From High Heels to Cardigans" (a very pleasant and accurate review of her book, that nicely summarizes the high (and low) points of her life) by Karen Inskip.

BBC Radio 4 Online (16 February, 2001) article "My Radio 4" (short Q & A about her favorite show on Radio 4 -- The Archers, naturally. The person Wendy mentions, Jenni Murray, is a BBC presenter).

THE SUN (27 January, 2001) article "Doctors Save TV Inman's Life" (Link is obsolete. Article was not about Wendy, but did mention her and quotes her concern about Inman: "Wendy Richards [sic], . . . who played sexy Miss Brahms and now plays Pauline Fowler in EastEnders, said: 'It's devastating to hear he's been so unwell. He's so well loved and I am sure everyone will be looking forward to him getting back on his feet and entertaining us all again. I wish him a speedy recovery.' "; stock Shirley Brahms B&W photo).

THE GUARDIAN Unlimited (16 December, 2000) article "The Questionnaire" (an interesting article which I'm surprised I haven't seen done before: Wendy's answers to a number of general and specific questions which I suspect she probably filled out in writing and then mailed or faxed to the reporter) by Rosanne Greenstreet.

ONLINE MIRROR (29 November, 2000) article "Our Pauline Gets OBE [sic]" (Original article has vanished. Link is to a local transcript.)

THE SUN (29 November, 2001) article "Pauline Howler [sic] gets Gong" (No current link to the short article, which simply said: "EASTENDERS star Wendy Richard shed a tear yesterday as the Queen presented her with the MBE. Overcome Wendy, 57, who has played Pauline Fowler for 15 years, gazed at her gong and fumbled for a tissue saying: 'Wearing that blue overall of Pauline's finally paid off. I think I'm going to cry' . . . Her Majesty recognised Wendy at Buckingham Palace, telling her: 'You're in a television soap.' "; two photos accompanied the article: one of Wendy and the queen, and the other very similar to this photo.)

ANANOVA (28 November, 2000) article "Soap Star Sheds Tear At Palace Date" (brief, almost abrupt, but generally positive story about Wendy's Day.)

BBC NEWS (28 November, 2000) article "EastEnders Pauline's Palace Date" (glowing mention and an excellent photo).

ONLINE MIRROR (late-November, 2000) article "EastEnder Wendy on Pet that Eased Her Heartache" (Original article has vanished. Information in the article generally mirrors what she has written in her book).

BBC NEWS (15 November, 2000) article "Richard's Daytime Donation" (short article 2/3rds of the way down the page).

DAILY EXPRESS (LineOne.Net) (5 November, 2000) article "Bubbly Blonde Who is Sick of Being Called A Frump" (very positive biog, fine quotes, enchanting photo) by Viv Groskop. (Link is broken; original article appears to have vanished.)

ONLINE MIRROR (17 September, 2000) article "The Real-life Heartache of 'Bubbly' Barbara Windsor" (has a paragraph near the end on the relationship between Barbara Windsor and Wendy. The rest of the article about Windsor is a bit mature: PG-13, at least. This link may not last . . .)

(25 July, 2000) The WRAP webmeister catches up with Ms. Richard in London (a report on my meeting with Wendy and John, summer of 2000.)

THIS IS LONDON (14 July, 2000) article "Loroupe back for Hyde Park Run" (brief mention. I think these photos on her website are for this event.)

THIS IS LONDON (3 May, 2000) article "Fay Weldon to Barbara Windsor" (Wendy's quote about the pending London mayoral election candidates is about half-way down the page.)

THE GUARDIAN Unlimited (4 March, 2000) article "Fast Tracked" (brief mention) by Andy Pietrasik.

Suite101.Com (portal) (25 February, 2000) article "The Wonderful Wendy Richard" by Hunter Peter.

BBC NEWS (16 February, 2000) article "Happy Birthday, EastEnders" (a mention and two photos).

BBC NEWS (19 November, 1999) article "EastEnders star robbed at home" (a sad article, but a lovely photo accompanies).

BBC NEWS (18 March, 1999) article "Carry on up the charts" (brief mention).

THIS IS LONDON (4 November, 1998) article "Luvvies Divide Over Hunting Debate" by Peter Gruner.

BBC NEWS (11 November, 1997) article "Anti-hunting campaign launched" (brief mention).

IRISH TIMES (23 July, 1997) article "EastEnders head West" by Anthea McTeirnan.

RADIO TIMES MAGAZINE (22-28 March 1997) interview "You must never give in . . ." by Rose Shepherd, as presented on the UK Cancerpoint web site.

THE TIMES (24 Feb 1996) article "Actress laughs off cancer operation".

The Carry-On Companion interview Untitled by Robert Ross (published by Batsford Books).

Online Interviews, Articles, and Appearances . . .