Wendy Richard in new cancer battle

STRUGGLE: Wendy
STRUGGLE: Wendy

EASTENDERS legend Wendy Richard has revealed she is battling cancer for the THIRD time.

The 65-year-old telly favourite, who played moaner Pauline Fowler in the BBC soap for 22 years, said the disease had returned three years after she got the all-clear from breast cancer and is now in her bones and a kidney.

Wendy said: "Twice I've had breast cancer but this is different. It's more aggressive this time, unfortunately, and has spread.

"My specialist said I'd got several useful years ahead of me but since then it's got worse."

Wendy, who quit EastEnders in 2006, added: "I went for my usual annual check-up and they found that some cancer cells had returned in my left armpit.

"Now I have a cancerous growth on my right kidney and the cancer's spread to my bones."

Wendy-who shot to fame as sexy Miss Brahms in '70s sitcom Are You Being Served?-said she had written her will and planned her funeral since hearing the news in January.

She also revealed she will marry her partner of 12 years John Burns, 45, before starting chemotherapy treatment a week tomorrow.

Wendy, married three times previously, was made an MBE in 2000 for services to TV.

Your comments

This article has 72 comments

thinking of you wendy. try to be strong and fight this horrible thing. fight it all the way. It makes me humble, as i moan if i have a headache. god bless.x.x.x.x

By gillian burrow.. Posted February 10 2009 at 3:17 PM.

I can only second all the love that shines thru these messages. Bless your new husband . I hope he realizes what wonderful man he is and I thank him for looking after you and supporting you. God bless and keep you both.

By shirley.. Posted December 3 2008 at 4:53 PM.

hi wendy
all the best and to
your new husband as well
take care
love jackie
south yorkshire

By jackie thorneycroft.. Posted October 11 2008 at 3:13 PM.

Dear Wendy

I was diagnosed with breast cancer with bone
secondaries nearly 10 years ago, and I'm still well
and enjoying life. Dont give up hope- you might have a lot longer than you think!

Good luck with married life, and God bless.

Love Linda x

By Linda Kuypers.. Posted October 10 2008 at 4:33 PM.

dear wendy,
i was saddened to hear your news had op sept 97,im sending you info re alternative healing im living proof this works as it worked for me re another problem mar 92 had healing june 1st 92 hospital told me tumour had gone.
you have bought such joy to many fans of yours that we are supporting you in your problem-a problem shared is a problem halved.
good luck for forth coming wedding,
take care,
brigitta
9th oct 08

By brigitta.. Posted October 9 2008 at 12:45 PM.

I was so sorry to read about you getting the cancer back again,but keep on fighting it like you have done,and all the best on your wedding day.See I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005,had it taken out,had chemo,radiotherapy & the drugs that follow.Just having follow up checkups so far so good,can only pray to god to grant me more years as I WILL PRAY FOR YOU.All the best Rosexxxx

By rose antonelli.. Posted October 8 2008 at 1:58 PM.

Being English I watch you in many programs and just want to wish you all the kind thoughts that was given to me when I had breast cancer twice so know what you are going through Bless you Wendy you will beat I know you will listen to the song by Gerry and the Pacmakers you will never walk along again God Bless

By Pat from Australia.. Posted October 7 2008 at 1:32 PM.

hi wendy , so sorry u 2 hear of your illness , i think you are a fab women , you are made of strong stuff , and an inspiration to other sufferous , hope you have a fantastic time on your wedding day . my prays are with you and your family , god bless you all. xxxx joanne preston from nottingham.

By joanne preston.. Posted October 7 2008 at 11:42 AM.

I was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer in 1998 did not have a good result. But after the chemo which was too toxic - I got through it though. I am still here 10 years hence. Thinking of you Wendy - take each day as it comes and keep positive.

By June, Rayleigh, Essex.. Posted October 6 2008 at 9:54 AM.

Hello Wendy

Words I imagine are not helpful but I want to say them. I have been there, I am thinking of you. You are a wonderful actress. Try to be positive at this terrible time.

By Jan Levy.. Posted October 6 2008 at 6:44 AM.

Good luck to you on your new trip Wendy Richards.

By Tim.. Posted October 6 2008 at 1:59 AM.

Wendy be strong in the power of the lord, he is with you. God bless you!

By Wendy Gilmour.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:26 PM.

I WILL PRAY FOR YOU HOPE YOU GET BETTER SOON MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN ILL AND I PRAY FOR HER AND HER LOST BABY EVERY DAY

By ANNE DUNCAN.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:54 PM.

Wendy please accept another prayer from me ..God bless xx

By pepper.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:17 PM.

Your a strong willed lady and i believe you can fight this, have a fab wedding and don't let this horrible disease get u down. enjoy your life as you have been doing and treasure every moment. in my thoughts, god bless x

By sarah.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:01 PM.

Hi wendy
My first c. was in 1994 i my jaw. my 2nd was in 1996 prostate. my 3rd was in 1998 bowel I then had a right side stroke. In 2008 have just been told I rectile c. I'm giving in to the bloody c. and I'm sure you wont. You are made of better stuff than me so I kow you will be fine.
Good luck
Ken

By kenneth pickering.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:53 PM.

Wendy,Just so so sorry to hear of your news to me you are a beautiful woman.I will pray for you and I wish you all the very best on your wedding day and good luck for the future may the good lord look after you and give you the strenth to fight it. to me there will never be an actress to take your place,take care Victoria Lancs xxx

By Victoria Ingham.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:40 PM.

wendy wishing you all the very best, and our thoughts are with you now. Be determined and stay strong, you will get through this

By devon22.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:32 PM.

Dear wendy,

Im sorry to hear about your news, good luck with your wedding and be happy. My thoughts are with you now, and wish you all the best. Although doctors are negative about your condition where there is life there is hope.....so please fight on.
My own sister I lost to breast cancer when she was just 44, she fought the illness long and hard, I miss her lots, and know she is now at peace. You can fight on and show everyone you have lots of years ahead, and support from everyone who you inspired throughout the years on eastenders.

Try vegtable juices of blended carots beetroot, brocolli and brussell sprouts, with some orange juice
I know it sounds vile but have heard it can help. Turmeric is something which can help kill cancer. Go to the hale clinic.
All the best,

By devon222.. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:22 PM.

Ive just got over a mastectomy and chemo, radiotherapy etc... There isnt one person who has been in this possition that wont be thinking of you and sending you love and strength now and in the future. You seem to me to be a brave lady for so many reasons and a strong person. Love Emma

By Emma.. Posted October 5 2008 at 7:44 PM.

Hi Wendy. I live in Texas now but watched you for many years. I had breast cancer 3 years ago. I had MAMO, AN ULTRASOUND AND ASPIRATION and everything came back negative. I was given a choice of keeping a lump with `nothing wrong with it` or having it removed. I chose to have it removed, as I don`t mind ops, I have had 13, so out it came and when they sent it down to the lab, as they always routinely do, it came back cancerous. What if I had kept it, I ask myself. You must be positive, which I am sure you are anyway and have heard all of this before, but it is the only way. Good Luck with everything. We shall be thinking of you. Janet F

By Janet Foster.. Posted October 5 2008 at 6:51 PM.

keep your chin up. You are strong person. good luck with your wedding. be happy with your new husband.god vless xxx

By sandra .. Posted October 5 2008 at 6:14 PM.

after watching you i east enders for so many years you seem like a close friend to me i will pray for you every night fight the fight you can win again may you and your partner have a lovely wedding day lots of love and kisses maryxxxxxxx

By mary.. Posted October 5 2008 at 6:07 PM.

Just to say how much I enjoyed you in 'please sir' and 'are you being served' and of course the timeless 'come outside' with mike sarne. Never give up hope. Best wishes Chris Gilks.

By chris gilks.. Posted October 5 2008 at 5:54 PM.

DEAR WENDY, SO SORRY TO HEAR YOUR SAD NEWS, I FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE MY FRIEND AS I HAVE WATCHED YOU FOR SO MANY YEARS IN EASTENDERS AND ARE YOU BEING SERVED TWO OF MY FAVOURITE PROGRAMMES, AND OF COURSE YOU WAS ON ONE OF MY FAVOURITE RECORDS "COME OUTSIDE " I WISH YOU A LOVELY WEDDING DAY AND MANY YEARS OF HAPPINESS, GOD BLESS YOU WENDY "YOU CAN BEAT THIS " XXXXX JULIA .

By JULIA.. Posted October 5 2008 at 4:38 PM.

God Bless You Wendy.XX

By lesley.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:53 PM.

hi wendy
im so sorry to hear about your news im thinking of you and i hope your treatment goes well
keep your chip up my dad has just had an operation for bladder cancer it was a upseting time for us all.But hes doing well so i know you can be strong aswell and fight it i send all my love and kisses.love Tina xxxxx

By Tina .. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:45 PM.

hi wendy
im so sorry to hear about your news im thinking of you and i hope your treatment goes well
keep your chip up my dad has just had an operation for bladder cancer it was a upseting time for us all.But hes doing well so i know you can be strong aswell and fight it i send all my love and kisses.love Tina xxxxx

By Tina .. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:43 PM.

Thinking of you Wendy, Stay strong xxx

By Moira Bernadette Symons.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:19 PM.

Wendy,

So sorry to hear your news. I hope all these messages manage to convey the love and support you have from fans far and wide. Have a wonderful wedding day ....

By Maisie.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:41 PM.

Dear Wendy

On behalf of all the ex pats living here in Israel, I want to let you know what enjoyment you have given us Eastender fans and how you are missed not being in the programme.

Be strong and we hope that the new course of treatment will give you more happy years with your partner and family.

By Beattie Gellert.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:26 PM.

cant say any more than all the messages you have been sent below, just that my family and I will be thinking of you,xxx

By rose.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:23 PM.

Wendy gentle hugs .. i'm praying the chemo works for you ,stay stong you can fight it .
i was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago when i was 35 i'm living life to the full now .

By xxshelxx.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:08 PM.

Dear Wendy
So sorry to hear the news that your cancer has returned
Thoughts are with you be strong & dont give in keep strong with the help of your loved ones you will get there, hope your wedding plans go well & you have a great day.
love ann xxxx

By ann.. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:53 PM.

Hi Wendy
Sorry to hear about your latest illness, I wish you all the luck in the treatment you will be soon having.
It'll be great to see a re-run of "Are you being served?" you in particular were great and I'm sure many like
me will be looking forward to seeing you once again on our screens in the coming new year.
Have a wonderful wedding and look forward to many anniversaries.
Alan

By alan.. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:37 PM.

so sorry 2 hear this sad news. my gran has been battling breast cancer for a year now and was given 5 years to live last month. stay strong wendy...you ARE a legend, not WERE and never WERE you ARE!
All thinking of you at this hard time + may your dear self be blessed in everlasting happiness xx

By chris.. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:30 PM.

Dear Wendy
Thinking of you and sad to hear the news. Stay strong Wendy, I know it has been a battle in the past, but your a tough cookie and with all the love around you, you can come through this.
A heartfelt kiss and big hug from me.

Tyrone x

By Tyrone.. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:14 PM.

thinking of you lots of love and wishes

By caroline.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:49 PM.

thinking of you lots of love and wishes x x x x x

By caroline.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:51 PM.

Wendy,

Do not let this bad news affect you. You will win this battle. Be strong in your mind and let the mind control ther body and get rid of this disease.

People who have been given weeks to live have survived the disease successfully. You too will succeed.

May God give you the courage. Be positive.

Yousouf

By Yousouf Jhugroo.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:40 PM.

sad too hear the dreaded word c.....be strong keep postive as much as you can,i grew up watching you in the uk and i still see you here in canada.

Have a great wedding day and enjoy!

Never give up,take each day as it comes you are pauline fowler....

By melena.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:43 PM.


Dear Wendy,

So sorry to hear this sad news,but your a very strong lady and can beat this. Never give up Wendy, we Wendys' are made of strong stuff and II am sure that there are lots of people who are gping to pray for you,me included.
Good luck and take care,
Love Wendy

By Wendy GHazouani.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:35 PM.

Wendy, i'm so sorry to hear of your sad news, keep fighting girl, you can do it..xx

By jenny.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:25 PM.

Dear Wendy Iam very sorry to hear of your illness keep fighting . You put the east in Eastenders i will always think of you . you are a great actor all my love and best wishes love Margeret xxxx

By MARGARET.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:07 PM.

Hi Wendy, Have watched you here in Spain for the past 23 years, more recently on the Paul O'Grady show, on behalf of myself and family, and all the other Ex-Pats here in Spain, we wish you a joyful Wedding, and a fighting recovery, being the strong woman your are. Our love to you and John for your Wedding day.Will always be thinking of you and pray for a speedy recoveryXXXXXX
(also our friend Val here in Spain, just diagnosed with a brain tumor). Much Love.

By Carolina .. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:44 PM.

Good luck Wendy, all the best you have our support.

By bren and family.. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:15 PM.

Good luck with your wedding Wendy and I hope you come through your illness

By pat olive.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:45 AM.

dont let it beat you (meantally) i have a friend who has three types of cancer but wont let it beat him.

It is the word cancer thats the scarey part.
you are a great actress. be strong good luck.

By gary.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:34 AM.

good luck on your treatment wendy have a great wedding day all my love

By june catchpowle.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:32 AM.

hi wendy
i am sorry to hear about
this news also enjoy watching you
in eastenders and are you being served
bless you
love jackie thorneycroft

By jackie thorneycroft.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:28 AM.

Living in akbuk turkey a most glorious place if you fancy a really good break more than welcome. keep your pecker up

Maureen

By maureen.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:13 AM.

Good luck wendy I hope you get better soon. I know you can beat this. Your a wonderful lady and a well loved Icon. I wish you the best

By sarah Gregory.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:09 AM.

chin up girl you are a fighter, sending you lots of love,you will beat it wendy xxxxxxxx good luck for your wedding

By suzanne.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:56 AM.

I'm living in Italy and just read the news on Gemini fm about your illness. I'm a fan of Eastenders since it started. I will pray for you and hope you get better. Never give up you must fight it .Un fortunatly my mum died of lung cancer 28yrs ago. Today so much can be done, I wish you all the best of luck and God bless. Anna maria .

By anna maria banderwick.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:57 AM.

good luck woth beating this wendy, my whole family thinks you are great. good luck with your wedding, and enjoy every second you have. xxxxx

By aj.. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:05 AM.

Wendy, I hope you have more years ahead of you, I hope that will is still in you're solicitors unread in five years from now. If not GOD will protect you, you are surrounded with love even from people you have never met
God bless and good luck

By Marianne.. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:39 AM.

I am sorry to hear of your news. My mum is currently fighting breast cancer for the 3rd time. This nasty disease always hits the good people.
You have beaten it twice and will beat it again - 3rd time lucky as my mum says.
Wishing you all the best x x

By Keels.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:29 AM.

Wendy,you have contributed to this world by providing laughter and other acts of kindness.Please do not concern yourself at the thought of passing away,it is Gods final and most precious gift to those He loves.

By Ger.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:11 AM.

So sorry to hear the news,Wendy,good luck in your treatment,and very best wishes,as great fans of the late John inman at aybs we met you many times
Joyce

By Joyce Powelll.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:11 AM.

continue to enjoy your life and stay possitive, i wish you well and send you lots of love.xxxxxx

By jackie rason.. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:02 AM.

never give up hope my mum has been fighting cancer for the third time this year she has had chemo and all is looking gd fingers crossed she has another check up in november. for some reason this terrible ilness hits the best people. im sure you will be fine i send you all my love have a lovely wedding you deserve it .all the best for a very long futurexxx

By tracey.. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:39 AM.

please go & get yourself some apricot kernals, they are so powerful for fighting cancer, also goji berries.

pls do it its not an old wifes tale.

hope you dont suffer
x

By sarah jane mcentee.. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:16 AM.

So sorry to hear this news Wendy. You have a lot of people routing for you out here and wishing you well - me being one of them. My thoughts are with you and wish you all the very best.

By Robbie.. Posted October 5 2008 at 7:29 AM.

Best wishes Wendy - please try vitamin B17 and apricot kernels, there is so much info about them curing cancers - got to be worth a go!

By Julie.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:05 AM.

From an ex Londoner..everyone in Canada is praying for you..God bless .Have a wonderful wedding,

By Peggy.. Posted October 5 2008 at 3:27 AM.

Carrots help too. I read about a man who turned orange after eating so many carrots (seriously) but it killed his cancer.

You're gonna be ok Wendy - I hope you have a brilliant wedding - you deserve it x

By Vikki Churchill.. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:12 AM.

I live in the States but was an Eastenders fan for so many years, despite not getting the program consistently, also loved you in Are You Being Served, and wherever I chanced to see you. I wish you all the best. I wish you the best always and hope you beat this.

I wish you all love, and many thanks for the pleasure I've gotten from your acting. Bless you.

By Starshadow.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:41 AM.


just heard the news of your illness. wishingyou the very best and lots of love xxx

By Sarah Wilson.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:34 AM.

hi wendy,u are a real inspiration to us all,a top actress and a true human being.my mum had breast cancer and it was a really bad time for us all .i know u have been through alot,well i think i do from what i have read but u know the press,lol.i just want to say that i have read a few articles about cancer and try having broccolli in a blender every morning and drinking the juice.it tastes horrible but it clears the cancer in most cases.hope this is much help to you.all my love shan,hope u beat it xxxxxxxxxxxxx

By shan hesford.. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:17 AM.

sorry to here the news and good luck for the future xx

By tony kelly.. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:48 AM.

Sending you lots of love and hugs Wendy. xx

By Stardust.. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:46 AM.

aww so sorry to hear this but your a real trooper wendy and i send you much blessingsxx

By makalugirl.. Posted October 4 2008 at 11:54 PM.

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