Wendy RichardWendy Richard has revealed that her cancer has returned, to the shock of all her EastEnders and showbiz pals.

She’s also announced plans to marry her long term partner, John Burns, before she starts treatment next week. 

The star has been diagnosed with breast cancer twice before but a check up earlier this year found that the cancer had spread to other areas of her body.

In an interview with the Sunday Express she confirmed that despite being prescribed drugs to help: “It's more aggressive this time, unfortunately, and has spread to the top of my spine and left ribs," adding: "My oncologist said I've got several useful years ahead of me but since then it's got worse."
 
The 65 year old actress is probably best known for her portrayal of EastEnders’ Pauline Fowler, one of Albert Square’s longest inhabitants.  She joined the show in the very first episode in 1985 and left when Pauline was killed off in Christmas 2006.

Rumours around her leaving the show had been tied to her ill health but  she said in an interview with the Daily Star that she left because she didn’t like the storylines planned for her character, and so decided to call it quits.

Wendy said: “I always had it in my heart that Arthur was Pauline’s husband and that was that.

“I couldn’t believe in what they wanted me to do”

“Pauline remarrying was wrong. Some women never remarry.”

Some of the stars from the show have expressed their concern and distress at Wendy’s situation.  Bill Teacher, 78, who played Wendy’s on screen husband Arthur is said to be ‘devastated’, and Shane Ritchie, who played Alfie Moon said: “I had some of my happiest days working with Wendy, I wish her all the best”.