Wendy Richard MBE (née Emerton, 20 July 1943 - 26 February 2009) was an English actress, known for her role as Pauline Fowler on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role she played for nearly 22 years, from 1985 to 2006. She also portrayed Miss Shirley Brahms in Are You Being Served? (1972–1985), as well as its spin-off series Grace & Favour (1992–1993).