Stars attend Wendy’s ‘funny’ funeral

MORE than 100 EastEnders stars past and present were reunited yesterday in a tearful farewell to “icon for ordinary folk” Wendy Richard.

Barbara Windsor, Todd Carty and Paul O’Grady joined legions of well-wishers from the world of showbusiness at her funeral.

In a “beautiful and funny” service, mourners — who were given an order of service which included Richard’s favourite chilli con carne recipe — paid tribute to the star, best known for playing cardigan-wearing matriarch Pauline Fowler.

Speaking afterwards, Ian Lavender, the former Dad’s Army star who also featured alongside her in the long-running London drama, said she was an “ordinary icon — a great icon for ordinary folk”.

He added: “It was a beautiful and funny service. I just remember all the good things and the black humour. She had a very acerbic sense of humour.

“Sometimes you would have to tell her ‘I am not listening to this’ but she would eventually overwhelm you with her charm. She was a great woman and I am honoured to have spoken today.”

Actors Carty, Lavender and Trevor Bannister all gave readings at St Marylebone Parish Church, central London, before In The Mood by Glenn Miller and the 1960s hit Spirit In The Sky were heard blaring out loudspeakers.

During his reading Carty remembered his last message from Richard. Referring to an accident he had on Dancing on Ice, she apparently told him he was not being paid enough.

Bannister, who starred alongside Richard in the sitcom Are You Being Served, also brought many laughs from the congregation during his speech.

Carty, who was one of the pallbearers for Richard’s wicker coffin, was close to tears as he arrived for the service shortly after Windsor walked in flanked by co-stars Steve McFadden (Phil Mitchell) and Patsy Palmer (Bianca Jackson).

Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts), who arrived at the church with Ricky Groves (Gary Hobbs) and June Brown (Dot Branning), told reporters: “Wendy is going to love this.”

Groves said: “We’ll have a drink for her.”

Many left flowers outside, one bunch featuring a card from Queen guitarist Brian May and his former EastEnders star wife, Anita Dobson. Their message read: “Rest in peace, dear Wendy.”

Fans of the actress, who also played Miss Brahms in Are You Being Served?, lined the streets outside St Marylebone Parish Church.

Richard died last month at the Harley Street Clinic in London after a lengthy battle with cancer, with her husband, John Burns, by her side.