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The Wonderful Wendy Richard

© Hunter Peters

A couple of articles ago I profiled Are You Being Served? star John Inman and mentioned that he was, perhaps, the series' most popular character. While I still think that's true, my last article, a rather unflattering, though hopefully not mean-spirited, opinion of EastEnders, has lead me to the conclusion that Wendy Richard was certainly the most versatile, and maybe even the most gifted member of that fine ensemble cast.

Ms. Richard (oft mistakenly referred to as Richards) was, the story goes, discovered by Robert Stigwood, the man behind the Bee-Gees and numerous other recording stars, while working in his office as a secretary. Apparently, the pretty, young, Miss Richards began cracking wise in a broad cockney accent. Stigwood was working on a Mike Sarne track called "Come Outside" at the time and felt that Wendy's cheeky banter would make a perfect counterpoint to Sarne's insistence that his date "Come Outside" for a bit of a snog.

Stiggy's intuition paid off handsomely. "Come Outside" went on to top the British Charts. I've heard rumors that Sarne later produced at least a couple of Wendy Richard solo tracks but I've never come across them so I can't say for sure if they really exist. Ms. Richards herself, neglected to mention them in an interview where she spoke of her brush with pop stardom.

In the late 1980's, she re-recorded "Come Outside" with fellow AYBS? cast member Mike "Mr. Spooner" Berry, who himself had been a charting popster under the guidance of legendary, maverick producer Joe Meek. (Meek also worked with Sarne and Stigwood and launched the career of John Leyton with an appearance on the department store set drama Harpers West One, which it is rumored that Wendy appeared on, though, as with her solo recordings, I've yet to find much in the way of corroborative evidence.)

While many think of her as a comedienne turned soap star one of her first re-occurring roles was in the Coronation Street inspired The Newcomers. Like EastEnders, The Newcomers was meant to challenge Corrie's dominance, but unlike EastEnders, it folded quietly after just a few seasons. Wendy also appeared in a number of films, mostly small or bit parts, including a couple of Carry On films and the offbeat detective thriller Gumshoe. A stroke of bad luck kept her from becoming an even bigger part of pop music history when her scenes in the Beatles film Help ended up on the cutting room floor. A tantalizing still from the film remains showing Wendy in between Paul McCartney and Frankie Howerd. The still is available for viewing at  K. Callaway's fine website - The Wendy Richard Appreciation Page

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