Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Wendy swaps Pauline's cardies for scarlet swimsuit in 'Benidorm'


April 16, 2008
Share this:

A low-cut red swimsuit teamed with a leopard-print stetson is an outfit Wendy Richard's dowdy EastEnders character Pauline Fowler would never have considered wearing. The 64-year-old actress' new role in Benidorm, however, called for her to don the racy outfit for a poolside altercation in one of her first major screen appearances since leaving Albert Square last year.

Wendy guest stars in the Spain-set comedy as glamorous yet interfering mum Sylvia, who arrives to sort out the tangled love life of her daughter Kelly - played by Niky Wardley.

Things don't go exactly according to plan, though. And Wendy's character ends up having a mobility scooter face-off with Sheila Reid's Madge, after she's accused of trying to steal Madge's man.

The platinum-blonde actress says she was keen to try her hand at something new after playing cardigan-loving matriarch Pauline for so long. One thing she hadn't counted on, though, was learning how to manoeuvre a mobility scooter. "I don't drive, so we had a few run-ins - and I mean literal run-ins - on that scooter!" she reveals. "I hit a camera, a potted plant several times and even ran over a couple of artistes."

Viewers can check out Wendy's driving when the scenes air this Friday on ITV at 9pm.

Photo: © Alphapress.com
The former EastEnder plays an interfering mother in the Spain-set comedy Photo: © ITV / Tiger Aspect
Photo: © Alphapress.com
In Benidorm to sort out her daughter's love life, Wendy's character Sylvia becomes embroiled in a dispute with Madge as they compete for the attentions of MelPhoto: © ITV / Tiger Aspect
Photo: © Alphapress.com
An altercation over a man leads to her character ending up in the pool covered in sun tan lotionPhoto: © ITV / Tiger Aspect

Sign up to HELLO! Daily for all the latest and best celebrity coverage

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More Celebrity News

See more