EastEnders icon Wendy Richard, who portrayed Pauline Fowler on the BBC soap for more than 20 years, passed away in 2009 from breast cancer. She shared a heartwarming relationship with Natalie Cassidy.
EastEnders legend Wendy Richard, who portrayed Pauline Fowler for over 20 years, reportedly planned to leave her estate to a beloved co-star under one condition.
Wendy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and bravely battled the illness before it returned, tragically passed away from the disease in February 2009.
Recently, the soap honored Wendy’s character, Pauline, and her husband Arthur with a heartfelt tribute during an episode that featured a scene from the 1980s. In an effort to reconnect with her late boyfriend Martin Fowler (James Bye), Ruby Allen (Louisa Lytton) found an old video of Martin’s parents, Pauline and Arthur, from their appearance on a game show.
It was reported that Wendy Richard intended for her cherished EastEnders co-star Natalie Cassidy to inherit her £2 million estate upon her passing. However, this was reportedly contingent on the condition that her husband, John Burns, passed away within 28 days of her.
The irony was that while Wendy’s character Pauline played Sonia’s critical stepmother on-screen, the two actresses shared a deep and meaningful friendship in real life. Natalie revealed that she hit “rock bottom” after Wendy’s passing, describing her as a “very special lady” and a “second mum.”
It is confirmed that Wendy gave Natalie her lucky necklace before she died. Natalie shared with Heat magazine: “It’s meant to bring good fortune in your career, and since I’ve had it, I’ve experienced nothing but happiness, luck, opportunities, and financial success.”
“I truly believe she’s watching over me. She was like family, and so is John. It’s absurd to even suggest there was anything (romantic) between us – I just live nearby so he won’t be alone.”
According to The Sun, the Are You Being Served? actress made her final wishes known in her will six months before her death. It’s believed she requested that her ashes be combined with those of her cherished pet dog.
Natalie shared that she “wasn’t well” after Wendy’s death and sought the support of a counselor. She told the publication, “I wouldn’t label it as a breakdown, but I was under immense pressure and felt I was on the edge of one. I did see a therapist for a while to talk about many things.”
She shared that Wendy’s death caused her to reevaluate her relationship with her own mother. “They were bereavement experts – my mum passed away seven years ago, and after that, I made some poor decisions and lost myself,” she explained.
“I ended up distancing myself from some family and friends. However, I managed to get myself back on track and reconciled with my family. But that’s when it really hit me – I miss my mum more than ever, and the day Wendy passed away, I reached rock bottom.”
“Wendy was like a second mother to me, and honestly, that’s when it all started to impact me. I thought, ‘I need to talk to someone about my mum, the mistakes I’ve made, and the regrets I carry.'”
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