The actress shot to her fame for her role as Shirley Brahms in the sitcom Are You Being Served, playing a department store shop assistant and love interest for the bumbling Mr Lucas.
However it was her role as the miserable manageress of the Albert Square launderette, Pauline Fowler, for which she will be most fondly remembered. She featured in the show from its first episode 1985 and had become a firm fixture on the square when she left in 2006 after nearly 22 years in the show.
In February 1996 she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent extensive surgery and radiotherapy, and had been a firm supporter of Macmillan Cancer Support since. She was awarded an MBE in the Millenium Honours list of 2000 for her work.
Comments (8)
this is sad news :( RIP
I just heard this news last night :( I loved her on Are You Being Served and of course who doesn't love Pauline? I grew up with her! RIP
RIP. Watched a documentary about her last night on the beeb, she seemed to have touched so many people's hearts. She'll be missed.
I was never a fan of Eastenders much but its sad to see her go. She could be quite funny when she guested on magazine shows.
RIP. She will be missed. She was delightful on Are You Being Served?
She will be really missed.
RIP
Oh my goodness! I remember listening to her a couple of times on Just A Minute and she was brilliant. RIP my dear Wendy.