British actress Wendy Richard, best known for her roles in the soap opera Eastenders as well as the 1970s comedy Are You Being Served? died on Thursday at the age of 65, her agent said.

The actress died at a clinic in London's Harley Street with her husband John Burns at her side.

Her agent Kevin Francis said: "She was incredibly brave and retained her sense of humour right to the end."

Richard was best known for her role as Pauline Fowler in the London-based soap whom she played for more than two decades.

Before joining the cast of EastEnders in 1985, Richard was best known for her role as the saucy cockney shopgirl Shirley Brahms in the 1970s comedy Are You Being Served?