An iconic EastEnders star died following an extended cancer battle 17 years ago today, but few could have anticipated the touching pledge she made to a fellow cast member. Wendy Richard died on 26 February 2009, at just 65.

The actress died at the Harley Street Clinic in London, with her husband John Burns by her side. Her agent Kevin Francis paid tribute at the time, saying: “She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end.”

She remains best remembered for her legendary performance as Pauline Fowler in EastEnders, a character she played for 21 years. Yet before achieving soap opera fame, she’d already built a devoted following as Miss Brahms in the sitcom Are You Being Served?

The star had previously fought cancer twice, first during the mid-1990s and subsequently in 2002.

After undergoing substantial treatment, her cancer went into remission, though in 2008 she learnt the disease had returned in an especially aggressive manner. It had metastasised to her kidneys and bones, and that October she revealed the cancer was terminal, reports the Mirror.

She subsequently married her long-term partner, her fourth husband, at a celebrity-filled ceremony in London’s Mayfair. Following Wendy’s death, numerous celebrities offered their condolences.

Former EastEnders colleague Shane Richie, who played Alfie Moon opposite her character, revealed he was “absolutely devastated” upon learning of her death. Meanwhile, TV presenter Dale Winton, a lifelong friend of Wendy who has also since died, remembered: “I knew her as a family friend first since I was a little boy and worked with her many times.

“I’m very saddened to hear the news, she was a real fighter and actually a very kind and funny lady in her own right. My thoughts are with her family, she will be missed.”

Friend and broadcaster Esther Rantzen shared her profound grief over losing the cherished actress, stating: “She was courageous, honest, a brilliant talent and she will be greatly missed. She was a woman of huge integrity, she was a terrific, terrific lady.”

Upon Wendy’s death, reports emerged that she wished for her ashes to be scattered alongside those of her late terrier Shirley’s and her husband John Burns when he died. It was also claimed that she was leaving him her £2million fortune, but she included a very special caveat in her will, with a promise to a beloved co-star.

Wendy was said to be leaving everything to Natalie Cassidy, who played Sonia – her daughter-in-law on the soap – if John died within 28 days of her. Natalie was known to regard Wendy as “a second mum”.

Ultimately, Natalie reportedly inherited cookbooks and jewellery from Wendy’s estate.

Born Wendy Emerton in Middlesbrough in 1943, Richard grew up in London, where her family ran a pub.

She completed her schooling at the Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, leaving aged 15 to take up a position in the fashion department at Fortnum and Mason.

She subsequently trained at the Italia Conti Stage Academy in London, choosing to take the surname Richard as “it was short and neat”. In 1962 she appeared on the novelty record Come Outside alongside British artist Mike Sarne, which rocketed to number one in the charts.

Wendy landed parts in the 1960s BBC soap The Newcomers, Dad’s Army, Up Pompeii! and The Likely Lads. She also appeared in Carry On films alongside her future EastEnders co-star Barbara Windsor.

But it was her portrayal of a cheeky Cockney shop assistant in Are You Being Served? over 12 years that made her a household name.

She joined EastEnders from the very first episode in 1985 and remained with the soap until Christmas 2006, when her character died. She was awarded an MBE for services to television in 2000.