Pauline Fowler

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Pauline Fowler
Duration1985–2006
First appearance19 February 1985
Last appearance25 December 2006
In-universe information
OccupationLaunderette assistant
FamilyAlbert, Lou, Maggie, Harry, Ronnie, Dora, Kenny, Pete, Mark, Michelle, Martin, Joe

Pauline Fowler (née Beale) was a fictional character in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders, played continuously by actress Wendy Richard[1] from the show's first episode on 19 February 1985 and remaining on-screen for almost twenty-two years. She is the second longest-running character in the show's history, surpassed only by Adam Woodyatt's character, Ian Beale.

Storylines in EastEnders are often major news events in the UK, and Pauline's troubles were frequently the subject of newspaper headlines, television documentaries, behind-the-scenes books and fictional tie-in novels. Crises in her life were often aired on major holidays such as Boxing Day, Christmas and New Year's Day, when EastEnders' audience share is typically higher.

Pauline was depicted as the matriarchal stalwart of the fictional London community of Albert Square. Quintessentially working-class, the character worked as an assistant at Walford's launderette from the show's inception in 1985 until her on-screen death in 2006. Her storylines focused on drudgery, money worries and family troubles, which were all confronted with steely determination and stoicism; traits that consistently typified the character. She was most often portrayed as an opinionated, sombre, battle-axe—a family orientated woman who often alienated her kin due to overbearing interference.

Pauline's marriage to the downtrodden Arthur was central to the character for the first eleven years of the programme, ending with his screen death in 1996. Throughout her time in the serial Pauline was frequently featured with another long-running character, fellow launderette colleague, Dot Branning, and their scenes together were often used for comedic purposes. In the latter years of her time in EastEnders, Pauline was rarely seen without her Cairn Terrier Betty, who became her inseparable sidekick. Her narrative also included many feuds, most notably with her daughter-in-law, Sonia, and arch-enemy Den Watts; a family-friend who got her daughter Michelle pregnant at just 16.

The character's final appearance was a death scene, dying from what was later revealed to be a blow to the head, in the middle of the Albert Square gardens on Christmas Day, 25 December 2006. The episode was watched by an estimated 10.7 million viewers.[2]

Character creation

Background

Pauline Fowler was one of the original twenty-three characters invented by the creators of EastEnders, Tony Holland and Julia Smith. Holland had drawn on his own London background for inspiration, naming some of the characters after his cousins, the fraternal twins Pete and Pauline and their mother Lou; a family set-up recreated on-screen as the first family of EastEnders, the Beales and Fowlers.[3]

Pauline's original character outline as written by Smith and Holland appeared in an abridged form in their book, EastEnders: The Inside Story.

"Pete's twin sister. Forty, and a chip off the Lou Beale block. Plucky, and determined to battle through whatever the odds. A warm, practical, unsophisticated woman: you stand by your man, do your duty, fight for your kids and have a roast for Sunday dinner … She's also pregnant … She actually remembers her dad saying "Two things we don't discuss in this house are religion and politics". She also remembers her dad smoked a pipe, and wishes her husband did too. She loved her dad very much … Maybe she didn't go into her marriage with quite the right spirit? She was due to be chief bridesmaid at her sister's wedding but she'd got the flu and was confined to bed. Arthur, someone she'd known from school, was given permission to visit the invalid upstairs. He found himself proposing to her. Years later he said "It was to cheer her up really." And Pauline found herself accepting too … She's very fond of her twin brother, Pete (and knows that he's mum's favourite). She's very conventional, and the salt of the earth. Jolly, rounded, someone you can get your arms round. She doesn't trust skinny people…"[4]

Casting

File:PAULINE333.jpg
Pauline in the soap's second episode (1985).

From the beginning, Smith had considered the role would be ideal for the actress Wendy Richard, even though their casting policy was not to use 'stars' and Richard was already a household name in the UK. Up until this time, Richard was known for playing glamorous roles, such as her role as Shirley Brahms in the successful sitcom Are You Being Served? Smith initially feared that Richard would be apprehensive about playing Pauline, who would be anything but glamorous, but these fears were swept aside when Richard announced that she was sick of glamour and wanted to play her own age. She was subsequently offered the role.[5]

Richard's casting was considered to be "a giant leap of faith" by Holland and Smith, but one that ultimately "landed on its feet",[5] because Pauline went on to be one of the longest running characters in EastEnders' history, remaining with the show for nearly twenty-two years.

Character development and impact

The character of Pauline was a cornerstone of EastEnders for the first 22 years of its existence; the linchpin of the Fowler/Beale family around which the soap was originally structured. Pauline's early memorable storylines included giving birth at the age of 41 to her son Martin, a feud with lothario Den Watts, as well as having to contend with a plethora of family and money problems.

Over the years Pauline's character altered somewhat from her original outline. Instead of being the jolly, warm character she was during the 1980s, she became somewhat of a sombre battle-axe, hardened by a life of misery in Albert Square.[6] In fact the character was once described as "the Boadicea of battle-axes."[7]

Marriage to Arthur

Pauline's marriage to the luckless Arthur was central to the character and they have been hailed as "the soap's most famous husband and wife team."[8] The dynamics of Pauline and Arthur's relationship were clear from the beginning of the programme, with Pauline depicted as the matriarchal force that held the Fowler family together, while Arthur was depicted as weak, emotionally unstable and easily dominated by the stronger females of his family. Writer Jacquetta May, who once played Rachel Kominski in the programme, has commented that Pauline and Arthur "represented the matriarchal relationship of strong woman/weak man… Arthur, only sporadically employed and disabled by a breakdown, often behaved like a little boy while Pauline had to make the decisions and keep the family functioning in the face of poverty and unemployment, teenage pregnancy and depression."[9]

Pauline hits Arthur with a frying pan (1993).

The audience had witnessed Pauline and Arthur rowing many times, but they were generally seen as the most stable couple in the show, so the storyline involving Arthur's affair with Christine Hewitt in 1992 came as a huge shock to viewers.[10] The British press labelled the storyline "The Bonk of the Year" and it finally reached its climax on-screen in September 1993.[11] The scriptwriters had many conferences about ways in which Pauline would find out about the affair; should she work it out herself or should some third party tell her the truth?[10] In the end it was felt that Arthur should decide to tell her himself, which he did in a shocking episode that saw Pauline turn violent and hit Arthur in the face with a frying pan. This episode (written by Tony McHale and directed by Keith Boak) was chosen by writer Colin Brake as the episode of the year in EastEnders: the first ten years[10] and is described by Wendy Richard as "Pauline's crowning moment."[7]

For a while it seemed that EastEnders' "most solid" marriage was over,[10] but Arthur spent the rest of 1993 trying to convince Pauline that it was worth saving and they eventually reconciled.[12] However, more tragedy was to follow when Arthur was framed by conman, Willy Roper (dubbed "Wicked Willy" by the British press),[13] and wrongfully imprisoned for embezzlement in 1995. The storyline captured the public's imagination and a nationwide "Free Arthur Fowler" campaign was launched—"Arthur Fowler Is Innocent" T-shirts were produced and a single was even released in the UK singles chart promoting the campaign.[14][15]

Arthur's imprisonment was actually a precursor to the final exit of actor Bill Treacher, who decided to leave EastEnders after 11 years playing Arthur.[16] While Arthur went to pieces in prison, Pauline was heavily embroiled in the storyline pertaining to his eventual release. For several months viewers witnessed Willy attempt to woo Pauline, but she eventually uncovered his deception and then resorted to uncharacteristic seduction to gain his confession.[17] One critic commented "Pauline Fowler deserves a Golden Cardie Award for her performance in EastEnders. The way which she extracted a confession from Willy Roper over the money he stole was nothing short of brilliant."[17] Arthur was exonerated, but his joyful reunion with Pauline was brief, as an injury he sustained in prison led to a brain haemorrhage and he died shortly after his release. His death ended an 11 year screen marriage, the serial's most enduring to date.[8]

Other storylines

The character of Pauline went on to feature in many other memorable storylines including various feuds, a battle for the custody of her youngest son's child and her older son Mark's fatal battle with HIV, a storyline that Richard is particularly proud of.[7] The HIV storyline came to an end on-screen in 2003, when the actor Todd Carty was written out of the serial after 13 years playing Mark. In the serial, Mark discovered that his HIV medication was failing and he decided to leave Walford to spend the remainder of his life traveling. Richard has classed Mark's exit as her most difficult storyline, commenting: "I was so genuinely upset that Todd Carty, who played Mark, was going I could barely get my lines out for want of crying—but everybody said I acted it well. It was, I think, ten per cent acting and 90 per cent me crying my eyes out because I was being selfish and didn't want Todd to go."[7]

2006 saw Pauline re-marrying after almost a decade alone. Pauline's marriage to Joe Macer (played by Ray Brooks) was an attempt to give the character a "new lease of life"[18] and her wedding day was screened to coincide with EastEnders' 21st anniversary.[19] Richard was openly opposed to her character remarrying, but she was eventually convinced by the executive producer and battled—successfully—for Pauline to keep her surname, Fowler.[19] In July 2006 however, Wendy Richard announced that she would be leaving the show. She said she made the decision to leave when the producers of EastEnders revealed that Pauline was to re-marry. Richard thought it was "disloyal" of Pauline to her beloved first husband Arthur, commenting: "I think it's the most terrible shame, I really do. I thought in my heart of hearts it was wrong." [20]

Exit

Viewers saw the slow build-up to Pauline's climactic exit throughout the latter part of 2006. The character's bitter decline involved depression, pretending to have a brain tumour to scupper the revived relationship between her son Martin and his ex-wife Sonia, marital breakdown and finally ostracism.[21]

The character was killed off in a shocking and dramatic storyline, which aired on Christmas Day 2006 and was watched by an estimated 10.7 million viewers. It was the second most highly watched programme of the day.[22] It involved Pauline collapsing and dying in the middle of Albert Square, leaving both characters and viewers in uncertainty about the cause of her demise.

File:Pauline dead.jpg
Pauline dies in Albert Square gardens, Christmas Day 2006.

The Christmas Day episodes, written by Simon Ashdown, drew on the show’s early history to mark the occasion of Pauline's exit, which was particularly emphasized by the use of flashback vocal snippets of several members of Pauline's deceased family. The critic for The Times, Tim Teeman, commented that "Wendy Richard as Pauline had the air of the departing diva, queen of all she had loved, lost and laid waste to, her face set in a silent snarl." In addition, her parting scene with the other EastEnders long-serving "grand dame" Dot Branning (played by June Brown) has also been praised, with Teeman commenting: "The really choking scene came in the launderette between Pauline and Dot … Here the two grand dames had worked, bitched and consoled for years. Richard and the wonderful June Brown played their final encounter as intensely as the characters deserved."[23]

Richard herself has been less complimentary about her alter ego's departure and has spoken of her disappointment regarding Pauline's "changing character" and "depressing final storyline". In an interview with the Biography Channel she explained: "I did say, promise me you won’t make Pauline nasty before she goes, and unfortunately they did … I wasn’t too happy with the way it was done. They were changing Pauline’s character … Pauline would never have remarried. She would have remained a widow, sitting in that chair in the corner. That’s what [show creator] Julia Smith wanted, and that’s what I felt was right, so I resigned … I think it’s a shame because the Fowlers have gone completely now … There was so much history with that family."[24]

The storyline—dubbed "who killed Pauline?" by the British press[25]—continued through 2007, as first Pauline's nemesis Sonia was arrested for the murder, but it was later revealed that the killing blow had actually come from Pauline's husband Joe.[26] The plot's eventual climax in February 2007 led to the exits of several established characters connected with Pauline, including Martin, Sonia[27] and Joe, who was dramatically killed off after confessing to the murder.[28]

As a final tribute to Pauline and Wendy Richard the BBC aired a special television programme entitled EastEnders Revealed: Goodbye Pauline, which provided an emotional look back at Pauline's pivotol storylines during her time in Walford. The programme also reunited Wendy Richard with prior cast-mates, Todd Carty and James Alexandrou (Mark and Martin respectively) and featured character commentary and tributes from televison critics and EastEnders actors such as Anna Wing and Pam St. Clement (Lou and Pat).[29] The programme aired on New Year's Day, 2007.

Storylines

Pre-serial life

At the beginning of the EastEnders serial in 1985, Pauline is 41 years old, already married with two grown children. The story of her younger years is told via behind-the-scenes books such as EastEnders: The Inside Story, and also the second tie-in novel by Hugh Miller, Swings and Roundabouts. Through these books, it is revealed that Pauline was born at number 45 Albert Square, and thus lived there her entire life. She was delivered by Dr. Harold Legg, and is the youngest daughter of Albert and Lou Beale. Pauline is extremely close to her twin brother, Pete, and dearly loved her father, but he died when she was 12 years old, causing her to have to grow up quickly. She dates a sleazy salesman named Gerry Carter, who tries to take her virginity in the back of his car but she fends him off by stabbing him in the arm with a hatpin.[30]

At the age of 20, she is meant to be a bridesmaid at the wedding of her sister, Dora. However, she is ill with the flu and cannot go. Her boyfriend, Arthur Fowler, proposes to her while she is ill, later explaining that he'd done it "to cheer her up".[31] They marry in October 1965 and within four years she has given birth to two children, Mark in 1968 and Michelle in 1969.[32]

Early years

File:PAUL LOU.jpg
Pauline stands up to her mother in the first episode of the programme (February 1985).

When EastEnders begins, Pauline is a working wife and mother with two teenage children, and another on the way. Her husband, Arthur, has been made redundant in 1984 and at age 43, he has no prospects for steady employment, so Pauline's unexpected pregnancy comes at a very bad time. Pauline's mother Lou tells her that she cannot afford another child and orders her to "get rid of it", but Pauline stands up to her mother for the first time in her life, and decides to keep the child. Apart from Martin's birth in July 1985, the following few years are not happy ones for Pauline.[33] She has to contend with her delinquent son Mark, her daughter Michelle's teenage pregnancy to a mystery man, and the mental breakdown and imprisonment of Arthur, who is caught stealing the Walford residents' Christmas club money. Pauline is left struggling to repay the debt.[34]

File:Pauline Den prison.jpg
Pauline visits Den in prison and forces a deal (1988).

In 1987, Pauline witnesses Den Watts trying to give Michelle money, and correctly guesses that he is the father of her daughter, Vicki.[35] This launches a feud between Pauline and Den that lasts for the remainder of Den's life. She tries to dig up incriminating evidence so she can force him to leave Walford and tells Michelle to keep Den away from Vicki, or she will inform everybody about the secret.[36]

Following Lou's death in 1988, Pauline promptly takes over as the family matriarch. She is thrilled when Den is imprisoned on remand later in the year. However her ire rises once again when she discovers that Den has been sending Michelle and Vicki Christmas presents from prison. She threatens to inform his daughter, Sharon, that he is Vicki's father unless he keeps away from her family.[37] She is finally rid of Den when he is shot and presumed dead in February 1989.

In July 1989 Pauline begins to go through some poor health. Fearing that she might need a serious gynaecological operation, Pauline refuses medical assistance and is forced to hand in her notice at the launderette due to chronic tiredness. However, in September, she is hit by Ricky Butcher's car, causing her to be hospitalised with a cracked rib.[38] The accident proves to be a blessing in disguise as the examination brings news that she is suffering with fibroids. She is forced to spend Christmas in hospital recovering from a hysterectomy.[39]

Heartache

Pauline is overjoyed when her son Mark returns home in 1990 after nearly five years away. However she begins to worry that something is wrong when she discovers mysterious helpline cards in his clothes and notices how irrational he gets whenever he bleeds. On Boxing Day 1991 Mark finally decides to tell his parents that he is HIV positive.[40] Pauline is distraught, but after a difficult period she comes to accept Mark's condition.[41]

File:PAUL ARTHIV.jpg
Pauline and Arthur are stunned by Mark's confession (1991).

In 1992, Arthur takes up a new occupation as a gardener, most notably for the lonely divorcée Christine Hewitt. In May, Pauline learns that her brother Kenny Beale has been in a car crash in New Zealand, and she decides to visit him (in fact, Wendy Richard had to be written out of the series to allow her time to act in Grace and Favour).[11] While she is away, Christine grows extremely close to Arthur and she eventually makes a pass at him. Although he is tempted, he turns her down and she then disappears, sending him a letter explaining her feelings, which is discovered by Pauline on her return. Pauline goes to see Christine to discover the truth, and finds her to be a lonely figure who drinks too much. Pauline is persuaded to forgive Arthur, but he cannot keep away from Christine and on Christmas Eve 1992 they sleep together.[42]

Throughout 1993 Christine begins to make greater demands on Arthur, threatening to tell Pauline about their affair. Arthur begins to realise that he has made a mistake. In September, under duress, Arthur decides to inform Pauline about his infidelity and tries to tell her that he wants her and not Christine. Hurt, embarrassed and angry, Pauline responds by hitting Arthur around the head with a frying pan and then throws him out of their home.[41] Arthur spends the rest of the year trying to make up with her, and they eventually reconcile when he helps her deal with the death of her brother Pete in December 1993. They slowly begin to rebuild their marriage, although the affair is never allowed to be forgotten.[12]

Arthur's demise

File:Pauline Arthur EastEnders.jpg
Pauline collects Arthur from prison in 1996, days before his death.

In 1995 Arthur is elected secretary of the allotment committee. He starts raising money to create a new urban garden and by the end of the year he manages to raise £20,000.[43]

Arthur's friend, Willy Roper, takes a keen interest in the financial dealings, and cons Arthur into signing the fund money into various different accounts, then leaves him to face the consequences when the money is declared missing. For a second time, Arthur is imprisoned. Upon this, Arthur suffers a mental breakdown and refuses contact with Pauline.[43] Willy then spends the beginning of 1996 trying to woo Pauline, despite the objections of her family.[44]

In April 1996, Willy asks Pauline to go to Jersey on holiday—his real motive is to put the stolen money in an off-shore account under a false name. While travelling, Pauline and Willy become very close, but this changes when she discovers his counterfeit credit cards.[45] Back in Walford, she eventually manages to make him confess to embezzlement and framing Arthur, and Willy is arrested and charged.[46]

File:Arthursbench.jpg
The plaque from "Arthur's bench", which is placed in the Albert Square gardens in 1996 after his death. In 2006, Pauline collapses and dies near the same bench. The inscription on the plaque reads, "Arthur Fowler/He loved this place."

Arthur is cleared, but the day before his release he is involved in a prison riot and receives a blow to the head. Only a few days after his release in May 1996, Arthur suffers a brain haemorrhage on the allotments, and dies the next day in hospital.[41] His funeral is delayed pending an inquest, but the jury returns a verdict of accidental death, much to the disgust of Pauline, who feels that the prison services neglected to seek proper medical help for Arthur.[44] A bench is placed in dedication to his memory in the Albert Square gardens.

Family issues

Following Arthur's death, Pauline engrosses herself in her family, seeing it as her duty to keep it together. She is a traditionalist, with strict rules and beliefs, and although she is the first to criticise, she fully defends her children, often interfering in their issues and causing rifts in their relationships. She is particularly hostile to the women who feature in her sons' lives, and comes to epitomise the archetypal mother-in-law.

When Pauline discovers in 2001 that her son Martin is the father of Sonia Jackson's baby, Chloe, she is determined to raise her grandchild herself. Sonia is opposed to this and decides to put Chloe up for adoption instead. Pauline threatens to take Sonia to court for custody, but is forced to back down when Martin admits that he does not want to be a father.[47]

File:Pauline Funeral.jpg
2004, Pauline grieves at the funeral of her son Mark, who has died of AIDS.

Pauline's overbearing ways only serve to alienate Martin, and she cannot curtail his deviance. She begins to rely on her HIV-positive son Mark more than ever, but when he discovers that his medication is failing, he can no longer cope with her dependence and refuses to let her witness his deterioration. She tries everything she can to protect him, often smothering him in the process, and finds it especially difficult when Mark makes the decision to spend his last months traveling the world, instead of with her.[48] His eventual death in 2004 makes her more protective of her last remaining son, Martin.

She continues to meddle in Martin's life and refuses to loosen her control over him, even when he decides to marry Sonia. Pauline's interference in their wedding plans causes the couple to elope and marry away from Walford.[49] In order to keep Martin within her grasp, Pauline signs over half her house to the couple so they have to remain living with her. Sonia finds it difficult to cope with Pauline and many rows erupt with Martin in the middle. Things worsen when Pauline contacts Margaret Wilson, the guardian of Chloe (now named Rebecca), and begins visiting her against Sonia's wishes. Sonia is furious and the warring women are at loggerheads for a long while, with Pauline adamant that Sonia and Martin should take steps to regain custody of Rebecca.[50] Pauline is later incensed to discover that Sonia has embarked on a lesbian affair with Naomi Julien in 2005. After Martin is given custody of Rebecca, Pauline makes it her mission to exclude Sonia from Rebecca's life. However, Martin is unable to keep Sonia away from Rebecca indefinitely. As he begins to cede, Pauline concocts ever more elaborate ways to obstruct Sonia's involvement and their personal feud continues.[51]

Second marriage

File:Pauline&Joe.jpg
Pauline and Joe marry, 17 February 2006.

Several eligible bachelors express their interest in Pauline over the years, including Derek Taylor, Danny Taurus, Jeff Healy (who proposes), Eddie Skinner, and Terry Raymond, who she goes on a blind date with.[52] However, Pauline remains staunchly faithful to her late husband's memory and refuses to let the relationships progress beyond companionship. In 2001 it looks as if Pauline is finally willing to begin a new relationship with her childhood friend, Derek Harkinson, however he stuns her by confessing that he is gay.[53]

In August 2005 however, Pauline grows close to Joe Macer, whom she meets at a salsa dance class. Although Joe is obviously drawn to Pauline, he is kept at bay by Pauline's unwillingness to betray Arthur's memory. Pauline eventually allows him to get closer and it is not long before he falls in love and proposes to her in a crowded Queen Vic. She declines but Joe asks her again in February 2006 after telling her that he will leave to live in Dubai unless she commits to their relationship; this time she accepts,[54] and despite her misgivings, they marry on 17 February 2006. Pauline chooses to keep her surname as Fowler since she feels that she has lived most of her life with the name and does not want a 'new identity'.[55]

Just two months later, in April 2006, things begin to sour between the couple after Pauline discovers that Joe is concealing a criminal past.[56]

Deception, reclusiveness and death

In November 2006, Pauline and her son Martin argue about Pauline's treatment of Sonia, and Pauline becomes depressed to learn that Martin and Sonia have reunited. When a fire starts at Pauline's house, Pauline does nothing to stop it and awaits her death, until Martin rescues her. Whilst in hospital, Pauline concocts a story about having a brain tumour, in order to regain Martin's attention and cause a split between him and Sonia. The community initially rallies around Pauline, until Joe uncovers the deception, and Pauline is then ostracized. Still unfazed, Pauline decides to exert her revenge on her son by cutting him out of her life. She informs him that she is taking back the family's fruit and veg stall, cutting off his only source of income.[57]

Joe tries to get through to Pauline, but she is hostile. She compares him unfavorably to Arthur and confesses that she had never really loved him. She ridicules their lacklustre sex life and tells him their marriage is over. Furious, Joe begins smashing up her living room and insulting her family. Pauline retaliates by smashing a plate over his head[57] and then makes plans to leave Walford to live with Michelle in America.

File:Sonia slaps pauline.jpg
Sonia hits Pauline, Christmas Day 2006.

On Christmas Day 2006, Sonia informs Pauline that she and Pauline's son Martin are remarrying. A heated argument ensues, which culminates in Pauline being slapped in the face by Sonia. Despite Sonia's apologies, Pauline is still adamant that she is leaving Walford. However, when she discovers a Christmas card from her granddaughter Rebecca, she begins to realise what she is giving up. Pauline goes to tell Martin she is staying, but as she walks, she staggers and frequently clutches her head in obvious pain. Suddenly, she collapses in the middle of Albert Square gardens near Arthur's bench and lays motionless in the snow. A short time later she is found, and Martin is horrified to discover that she is dead.

Pauline's funeral takes place on 1 January 2007; however the proceedings are halted due to Dot, who calls the police after Rebecca confesses to seeing Sonia hit Pauline.[58] The police interrupt the funeral to take Pauline's body away for an autopsy, which confirms that she died of a brain haemorrhage, caused by a blow to the head.[59]

Sonia is arrested for Pauline's murder, but it turns out that her death has been caused by her husband Joe. He breaks down and confesses to Dot that he had argued with Pauline on Christmas day and, in a fury, he had struck her across the head with a frying pan, causing the brain haemorrhage that claimed her life. Dot is appalled and as she tries to leave, Joe attempts to apprehend her. The resulting scuffle causes Joe to lose his footing and fall out of the Fowlers' first floor window, to his death. Sonia is cleared, and Pauline's body is cremated on 29 January 2007. In June 2007, Dot buries Pauline's ashes at Arthur's grave.

Reception

Popularity

Pauline is the second-longest running character to feature in EastEnders and one of only two original characters to remain in the show for almost 22 years. Her baggy woolly cardigan and long-suffering nature have led to her being labelled as a soap institution,[60] a "soap legend" and a "television icon".[61]

When actress Wendy Richard announced her departure from the show in 2006, BBC controller of continuing drama John Yorke commented "Richard occupies a huge place in people's hearts"[1] and executive producer Kate Harwood said, "For many years Wendy simply was EastEnders for the audience and Pauline's indomitable nature typified the grit and fight that embodies the EastEnders' spirit … We thank her for everything she has done for the show…"[62]

Although it has been suggested by some that Pauline's presence in EastEnders was largely peripheral for some time, the news of her departure was met with dismay by fans and soap journalists alike.[63] Inside Soap editor Steven Murphy has said that the fact Pauline has been such an enduring staple will make it hard for fans to cope with her departure. "It's huge in soap terms … She's a character people love to hate—you just assumed she would be there forever." Jonathan Hughes, editor of All About Soap magazine, has also said "She's an absolute legend … You can't imagine the show without her … People will miss her because she's been such an important part of EastEnders for so many years."[63]

In May 2007, Wendy Richard was awarded with a 'Lifetime Achievement' award at the British Soap Awards, to honour her years of service to EastEnders. The award was presented by Todd Carty, who played her on-screen son Mark. Carty described Richard as the "heart and soul of EastEnders" and hailed her as an "inspiration" to everyone in the EastEnders cast.[64] Richard was moved to tears when she collected the award.[65]

Criticism

Despite being popular with many, the character of Pauline has also garnered much criticism over the years. Persistent criticism has been given to the character's dowdy attire, particularly the misconceived perception that she rarely wears anything but a baggy cardigan;[61] a claim that Wendy Richard herself categorically disputes.[66] In addition Pauline has also received much criticism for her miserable demeanour. She has been described as the "Wicked Witch of Walford"[23] and "a character who became a byword for downtrodden haggery".[67]

File:Pauline1985.jpg
Pauline in July 1985, the character was renowned for wearing dowdy cardigans.

Lucy Mangan, the culture critic from The Guardian newspaper, summed up the character: "Pauline Fowler, is surely one of the oddest soap creations ever. She is a character without humour, charisma or indeed any redeeming features who became progressively, unrelentingly miserable … She was presumably intended to be the anchoring force for EastEnders, but because of the writers' unprecedented decision to break with traditional narrative rules and give her not a single redeeming feature, she became more of a sucking chest wound than the heart of the show."[67] This opinion is perhaps shared by a proportion of viewers, as Pauline was voted the 35th most annoying person of 2006 in a BBC Three poll, being the only fictional character to appear on the list.[68]

In addition, Pauline's exit in December 2006 was described as a "mess" by Kevin O'Sullivan, critic of the Sunday Mirror newspaper. He branded her final scene unconvincing and badly acted, commenting: "the appropriately feeble scene brought down the curtain on 20 terrible years of Wendy Richard's low-quality performances. We shall not see her like again. If we're lucky! … I'm certain millions didn't tune in to say farewell to sour- faced Pauline. No, they were just checking to make sure she was really dead."[69]

In popular culture

EastEnders was the first television show to have a "dial-a-soap" facility. Run by British Telecom in 1985, the facility allowed people who had missed an episode to ring a number and get an instant update. The synopses were scripted to be no longer than one minute and twenty-eight seconds per episode. Wendy Richard, in character as Pauline, was chosen to be the voice at the other end of the line and narrated each episode.[70]

The character of Pauline was mentioned in the successful BBC drama This Life in 1997. In one episode of the show two key characters, Anna and Ferdy, watched an episode of EastEnders on television and mocked Pauline's hysterics and her well documented tendency to wear cardigans.[71]

The character has also been spoofed in the successful BBC comedy sketch show, The Real McCoy (1991–1995). One of the show's regular sketches featured a spoof version of EastEnders, with black comedians taking over roles of well known EastEnders characters who frequented a pub called Rub-a-Dub. The comedian Llewella Gideon played the role of Pauline and the sketches placed considerable emphasis on her high-pitched voice.[72]

A promotional picture of Pauline and Joe was used on the official Torchwood website, in a fictional magazine article about aliens.[73]

Family

See also: The Beale/Fowler family

References

  1. ^ a b "Wendy Richard to leave EastEnders". BBC.co.uk. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Vicar of Dibley tops Christmas TV viewing". The Scotsman. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Smith, Julia (1987). EastEnders—The Inside Story. BBC Books. pp. pages 49–50. ISBN 0-563-20601-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Smith, Julia (1987). EastEnders—The Inside Story. BBC Books. pp. pages 53–54. ISBN 0-563-20601-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Smith, Julia (1987). EastEnders—The Inside Story. BBC Books. pp. pages 129–130. ISBN 0-563-20601-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Eastenders Pauline Fowler to be Killed off at Christmas". Femalefirst.co.uk. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d "Star looks back". Evening Gazette. 18 February 2005. Retrieved 2007-06-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ a b "WENDY NEVER INVITED ME TO HER WEDDING". Sunday Mirror. 12 May 1996. Retrieved 2007-05-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ ""Square deal". redpepper.org. Retrieved 2007-05-27.
  10. ^ a b c d Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. pp. page 128. ISBN 0-563-37057-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  11. ^ a b Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. pp. page 107-108. ISBN 0-563-37057-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  12. ^ a b Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. pp. page 118. ISBN 0-563-37057-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  13. ^ "WICKED WILLY AND HIS FRIEND CARRY ON UP THE NILE". Sunday Mirror. 5 May 1996. Retrieved 2007-05-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "THE NET; My little Willy is on the Web". Daily Record. 23 May 1996. Retrieved 2007-06-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Bill Treacher—Eastenders". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
  16. ^ "D'Arthur to D'Artagnan". The Sun. Retrieved 2006-10-21. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ a b "Pauline's one jumper ahead". Sunday Mirror. 12 May 1996. Retrieved 2007-05-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Bride 'n gloom". The Sun. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 2007-06-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b "In the early days all I ever got were crying scenes". The Guardian. 16 February 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Wendy: Why I quit Enders". The Sun. Retrieved 2006-09-20. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Pauline's Christmas crack-up". The Sun. 24 October 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ "BBC1 posts its worst Christmas Day ratings ever". Daily Mail. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ a b "Eastenders—Tim Teeman watching BBC One". The Times. 26 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "Richard disappointed by 'Enders exit". Digital Spy. 23 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "Enders' Joe meets his Macer". The Sun. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ "Sonia issued warrant for Pauline's murder". Life Style Extra. 2007-01-03. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ "EastEnder Martin soaps off". The Sun. 2 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ "Joe killed off in murder muddle". The Sun. 13 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "EastEnders Revealed: Goodbye Pauline, BBC1". This Is Lancashire. 2 January 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Miller, Hugh (1986). EastEnders—Book Two: Swings and Roundabouts. Inner Circle Books. pp. page 69. ISBN 1-85018-050-4. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  31. ^ Miller, Hugh (1986). EastEnders—Book Two: Swings and Roundabouts. Inner Circle Books. pp. page 126. ISBN 1-85018-050-4. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  32. ^ Miller, Hugh (1986). EastEnders—Book Two: Swings and Roundabouts. Inner Circle Books. pp. page 159. ISBN 1-85018-050-4. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  33. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (1990). The EastEnders Handbook. BBC Books. pp. page 76. ISBN 978-0685529577. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  34. ^ Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. pp. pages 40-41. ISBN 0-563-37057-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  35. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (1990). The EastEnders Handbook. BBC Books. pp. page 43. ISBN 978-0685529577. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  36. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (1990). The EastEnders Handbook. BBC Books. pp. page 47. ISBN 978-0685529577. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  37. ^ "Xmas 88—Den in prison". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2006-11-08.
  38. ^ Brake, Colin (1995). EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration. BBC Books. pp. page 74. ISBN 0-563-37057-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  39. ^ Kingsley, Hilary (1990). The EastEnders Handbook. BBC Books. pp. page 53. ISBN 978-0685529577. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  40. ^ "Grant and Sharon get hitched". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
  41. ^ a b c Smith, Rupert (2005). EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square. BBC Books. pp. pages 58-59. ISBN 0-563-52269-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  42. ^ Smith, Rupert (2005). EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square. BBC Books. pp. page 86. ISBN 0-563-52269-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  43. ^ a b Smith, Rupert (2005). EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square. BBC Books. pp. page 98. ISBN 0-563-52269-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  44. ^ a b Smith, Rupert (2005). EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square. BBC Books. pp. page 105. ISBN 0-563-52269-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  45. ^ "EastEnders TUE 30-APR-96 episode description". Walford.net. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  46. ^ "EastEnders THU 09-MAY-96 episode description". Walford.net. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  47. ^ Smith, Rupert (2005). EastEnders: 20 years in Albert Square. BBC Books. pp. page 173. ISBN 0-563-52269-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help)
  48. ^ "Episode guide—14 Feb 2003". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  49. ^ "Episode guide—Thu 10 Jun 2004". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  50. ^ "Episode guide—Fri 29 Apr 2005". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  51. ^ "Episode guide—Mon 07 Aug 2006". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  52. ^ "Episode guide—22 May 2001". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  53. ^ "Episode guide—18 Dec 2001". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  54. ^ "Episode guide—Mon 06 Feb 2006". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  55. ^ "Episode guide—Fri 17 Feb 2006—Pauline's wedding day". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  56. ^ "Episode guide—Fri 21 Apr 2006—Pauline issues an ultimatum". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  57. ^ a b "Episode guide—Thu 21 Dec 2006". Retrieved 2007-05-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |ublisher= ignored (help)
  58. ^ "Episode guide—Tue 02 Jan 2007—Pauline's funeral". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  59. ^ "Episode guide—Mon 01 Jan 2007—Sonia feels cornered". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  60. ^ "EastEnder Pauline's Palace date". BBC.co.uk. 28 November 2000. Retrieved 2006-09-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ a b "A raven leaves the tower—Walford style". The Stage. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  62. ^ "Wendy Richard MBE to leave EastEnders". BBC.co.uk. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  63. ^ a b "Wendy Richard's dramatic soap life". BBC.co.uk. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 2006-09-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  64. ^ "Corrie sweeps the board at soap awards". Daily Mail. 28 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  65. ^ ""Wendy moved by 'long service' award". Metro. May 27 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  66. ^ "The Importance of Being Pauline". Walford Gazette. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  67. ^ a b "Bye Then, Pauline". The Guardian. 11 July 2006. Retrieved 2007-01-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  68. ^ "The Most Annoying People of 2006". 2006-12-27. BBC. BBC3. {{cite episode}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |series= (help); Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help)
  69. ^ "XMAS EXIT WAS A PAULINE MESS". Sunday Mirror. 31 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  70. ^ Smith, Julia (1987). EastEnders—The Inside Story. BBC Books. pp. page 173. ISBN 0-563-20601-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  71. ^ Including Daniela Nardini, Andrew Lincoln, Ramon Tikaram. "This Life". This Life. Season 2. BBC. BBC2. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |began= ignored (|date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |ended= ignored (|date= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  72. ^ Including Llewella Gideon, Meera Syal, Felix Dexter (1996-02-02). "The Real McCoy". The Real McCoy. Season 6. Episode 5. BBC. BBC2. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  73. ^ "MAGAZINE ARTICLE, 2007". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved 2006-11-19.

External links

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