She number 1 became familiar to TV audiences swimming Joyce Harker, the regular in the BBC's 1960s soap opera, The Newcomers, but encountered fame in the 1970s sitcom Are You Being Served? as Shirley Brahms, the slow-feebleminded sales rep by owning a heavily Cockney accent. Richard continued to remain popular when Pauline Fowler on the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a role she has played since a number one episode within 1985. Richard as well appeared in the Come Wise shoppers Existence Served? sequel Grace & Favour in 1992 and 1993.

She has too appeared within ''Dad's Army, The Likely Lads and some Carry On films. Within 1962 her distinct cockney vocals helped get her to #1 on the UK singles chart - uncredited, on the individual, Are Outside'', by Mike Sarne.

She endured an extended battle by owning breast cancer in the early 1990s; her cancer went into remission after years of professional assistance, however has since returned. Wendy Richard was awarded an MBE by the British Government around 1999.