Friends, Fans pay tribute to Wendy Richard

London (ANI): Brit actress Wendy Richard, who is well remembered for her role EastEnders, was given a fitting tribute by her friends and fans at the pub where she had grown up in as a little girl. Richard passed away on February 26 from cancer, and the gathering took place at the Shepherd's Tavern, which lies in the heart of plush Mayfair, on March 1.

She was just five when her publican father Henry and her mother moved from the Isle of Wight to take over the Carrs brewery flagship pub. “There are still some old timers who remember the family," the Daily Express quoted bar manager Magda Wagrowska as saying. “But Wendy came back many times last year," he added.

Scott Collier, owner of a nearby photo-printing store, recalled how the soap star befriended him. “She first came in to get out of the rain," he said.

Miguel Jaen, a diplomat at the Panamanian Embassy, also has fond memories of the star. “Wendy was taking part in the show Who Do You Think You Are, where guests trace back their roots. Since then, I met her about five times in just six months. She was so warm and friendly. She had absolutely no pretensions," he said.

“One day, Scott called me to tell me that Wendy had returned and that she was very happy to pose with me. When I got there, I was a bit nervous but Wendy put her arms around me and said, 'Come on. Come closer'. It was wonderful. She was a great woman," he added.