Wow, this is a shock.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5165860.stm

Wendy Richard to leave EastEnders

Actress Wendy Richard is to leave EastEnders after almost 22 years playing Pauline Fowler in the TV soap.

She is one of just two cast members who have been in the BBC One hit since it started in 1985. The other is Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale.

She will depart in a dramatic storyline at Christmas and said she had "loved every minute" of her time on the show.

Her spokesman added there had been "no arguments or quarrels" and she simply felt it was time to move on.

Richard said when she was first approached about the role, she "never would have thought that 22 years later, I would still be playing her".

Pauline had "grit and fight", the show's executive producer said "But nothing lasts forever. I've loved every minute of being part of this fantastic show, and will stay in touch with the many friends I've made," she said.

Pauline's memorable storylines include giving birth at the age of 41 to her son Martin and coping with the breakdown and death of husband Arthur.

She also discovered her son Mark was HIV positive and her daughter Michelle was pregnant by Dirty Den.

"For many years, Wendy simply was EastEnders for the audience," the programme's executive producer Kate Harwood said.

"Pauline's indomitable nature typified the grit and fight that embodies the EastEnders spirit as she took on the world and battle through her many troubles."

Health problems

BBC controller of continuing drama John Yorke said Richard "occupies a huge place in people's hearts".

He said she would be missed most for "the sheer pride and love she showed for her character, her fictional family and, of course, the show".

Richard, 59, has been at the heart of few big recent storylines. She was diagnosed with cancer four years ago but returned to work within months.

The actress also appeared in BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? for 13 years and was made an MBE by the Queen in the Millennium Honours List.

I know it is a shame. I was going to start a new thread, didnt know if it was worth it or not, i have a feeling you just read the Foriegn thread where i posted the link and started a new thread

Back to Wendy, i guess with Sonia and Martin leaving the show as well, it was only a matter of time before she went, i hope she has a good exit storyline.

Why would she leave i wonder? She is the heart of the show. Its like Alice Horton leaving Salem or Kay Chancellor leaving Genoa City.

Well with Sonia and Martin divorced, both are leaving the show next year, so i guess its a mutual disicion.

EastEnders will still go on, many big characters have come and gone, same with other soaps.

Really!? I'm surprised. I haven't watched EE in two years (thanks to them not showing it anymore here), but she was always the heart of the show, I felt. It seems like she just wants to retire. I know that a lot of older actors on soaps here in the US are basically retired, but they show up on the show for weddings, birthday, holidays, funerals, etc.

Thanks for keeping me up-to-date w/ what's happening on the foreign soaps.

Screw EastEnders! She'll always be Ms. Brahms to me, from Are You Being Served.

Wow.

I don't blame her though. Sometimes you just get tired, and she probably feels working 14 hour days 6 days a week for 22 years is quite enough, thank you.

I wish her well. She truly was the heart and soul of EE when I was watching and will be missed. I hope she has fun in her retirement.

I don't blame her though. Sometimes you just get tired, and she probably feels working 14 hour days 6 days a week for 22 years is quite enough, thank you.

I'm glad you said this. That's why I'm not one of those people who constantly complain the some of the older vets on soaps don't always have big, frontburner story. I know some of them are really aching for story, but I'm sure that there are many who like the idea of getting paid just to pop in five or six times a month.

Screw EastEnders! She'll always be Ms. Brahms to me, from Are You Being Served.

Hell yeah!

Here's a task for you Americans - write Pauline Fowlers last episode. Rumours are she is going to be killed off so thing something big.

Here's a task for you Americans - write Pauline Fowlers last episode. Rumours are she is going to be killed off so thing something big.

Aren't all of the characters on EE killed off at some point? I mean, really...

No there not lol, the last character to be killed was Danny Moon, who was shot by his brother Jake, to save Phil and Grant.

2005 killings

Dennis - Stabbed

Den - Blow to the head

Andy - Thrown over a fly-over

Leo - Drug Overdose

Thats all i think, i think those who were not killed last year are :

Zoe, Kat, Alfie, Tina, Sam

It's a shame an original character's leaving but to be honest, it's no great loss as far as the actress is concerned. To be blunt, she can't act for [!@#$%^&*]. Or at least she gave up trying about 15 years ago.