EastEnders actress Wendy Richard dies

EASTENDERS legend Wendy Richard has died.

The 65-year-old was diagnosed last year with an aggressive form of cancer that attacked her kidney and spread to the top of her spine and left ribs.

She died this morning at the Harley Street Clinic in central London. Husband John Burns was by her bedside.

Wendy, who married John last year before starting treatment for the disease, played battleaxe Pauline Fowler in the soap for 22 years and was one of the show's best-loved stars.

Watch some of of Wendy's best TV moments in the Sky News tribute:

Wendy's EastEnders co-star Shane Richie today said he was shocked by the news.

Shane said: "I am absolutely devastated. My heart goes out to John, Wendy's husband, and her family."

A spokesperson for the BBC press office has announced that tonight's show will be dedicated to the late actress, with former EastEnders executive John Yorke - leading the tributes.

The episode will be followed by Wendy Richard: A Tribute at at 8pm, which will celebrate the late star's life.

John said: "It is impossible to overstate Wendy's contribution to EastEnders.

"For 22 years, whether she was bemoaning Arthur's bad luck, cursing her children's wayward nature or reminding us all once again that it was 'all about family', it was impossible for anyone to mention EastEnders without the iconic image of Pauline coming to mind.

"It is hard now to imagine the bravery of casting Wendy as Pauline, so successful and utterly identifiable in the role did she become.

"She was one of the foundation stones of the show, and with her death EastEnders is diminished. She will be much missed by all of us."

A friend of Todd Carty – who played her onscreen son Mark – said the Dancing On Ice contestant was heartbroken by the loss.

The pal said: "Todd played Wendy's son for 12 years on TV and is understandably heartbroken about the loss."

Wendy's agent Kevin Francis added that the actress kept her sense of humour throughout her illness, and kept those around her in good spirits.

Kevin said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."

Director-general of the BBC, Mark Thomspon said that the corporation were saddened by the loss of Wendy, who was like a 'member of the family'.

Mark said: “Wendy Richard is going to be incredibly missed by the BBC and by our audiences.”

Close friend and EastEnders co-star June Brown, who plays laundrette worker Dot Branning said: "I missed her enormously when she left EastEnders. She was a wonderful woman."

Tragically, only last month Are You Being Served? star Wendy, who lost her hair at the start of the year, said that her illness wouldn't kill her.

Wendy said: "I'm certainly not thinking about dying. Wendy Richard is going to be around a long time yet.”

Wendy had been diagnosed with cancer twice before – in the mid 90s and again in 2002 – and had thought it had gone into remission.

In October last year Wendy found out that the cancer had returned and was terminal.