Terminally-ill Richard gets married

5:24am Sunday 12th October 2008

Terminally-ill Wendy Richard and her new husband smiled and waved following their star-studded wedding ceremony.

Richard married her long-term partner John Burns before beginning treatment for cancer.

The ex-EastEnder, who has beaten cancer twice previously, brought the date of the ceremony, at a hotel in London's Mayfair, forward after learning the devastating news that the disease had returned.

Richard found the disease had returned to her left armpit during an annual check-up in January. It has since spread to her right kidney and bones.

Celebrity guests who attended the event included Todd Carty, who played Richard's son Mark Fowler in EastEnders, Perry Fenwick, who plays Billy Mitchell in the soap, Laila Morse, who plays Mo Harris, and Richard's on-screen daughter-in-law Natalie Cassidy.

As the couple left, the pavement outside was strewn with red-petal confetti. The couple got into a stretch-Saab with blacked-out windows.

The actress's beloved dog Lily, a two-year-old Cairn Terrier, who is the niece of Betty, Pauline Fowler's dog in EastEnders, was a special guest.

Mr Burns smiled and waved Lily's paw before the couple left.

Richard left the hotel dressed in a smart grey wrap-over cardigan.

Around 60 family members and close friends are thought to have attended the civil ceremony and reception. Richard has been with her new husband for 13 years and he is 20 years the star's junior.

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