Richards wanted ashes mixed with pet dog's

Wendy Richards wanted her ashes to be mixed with those of her pet dog.

The 'EastEnders' star - who died in February aged 65 after losing her battle against cancer - made the unusual request six months before her death, asking for her body to be combined with her beloved late terrier Shirley.

She also asked for her ashes - which will be kept at Wendy's family home - to be mixed with 45-year-old husband John Burns when he dies.

Wendy - who played Pauline Fowler in the BBC soap - planned to leave her £2m estate to screen daughter-in-law Natalie Cassidy if John passed away within 28 days of her as the law states a spouse must live for that time to inherit their partner's estate.

Childless Wendy regarded Natalie - who played Sonia Fowler - as a daughter and left her cookbooks and some jewellery while stepdaughters Jade and Shannen inherited jewellery and £5,000 each.