Richard: 'I won't let cancer beat me'

Wendy Richard has vowed to win her battle against kidney and bone cancer in her first newspaper interview about the illness.

Reports claimed that the former EastEnders actress was "dying" after she went public with her health problems in October.

However, speaking to The People, she insisted: "Listen, I never said I was dying, that was other people saying that. Things are fine thanks. I've just had my fifth chemo session and it went OK."

The 65-year-old added that she has become a recluse in recent weeks and regularly sleeps through the day following gruelling chemotherapy treatment.

"I haven't been out much because the weather has been so cold," she explained. "When you are on chemo your immune system is very low. So if I caught a cold it could be quite serious for someone in my position. I'd rather not take a risk.

"I spend my days watching TV and resting in-between chemo which I have once every four weeks in London's Harley Street. Usually a couple of days afterwards it kicks in and can knock me for six. It affects everybody differently. But I'm staying positive."

Richard, who played Albert Square's Pauline Fowler for 22 years, has previously fought breast cancer twice.