Former Eastenders actor James Alexandrou has admitted that he collapsed when he received news that Wendy Richards had died yesterday.

James played Wendy’s on screen son Martin Fowler on the BBC soap opera and grew up with her playing a huge role in his formative years.

Talking about Wendy on This Morning earlier today, James admitted that she was like his second mum. “To me she was mummy number two,” he said. “She was lovely, caring and always honest. I was glad to send her a Mother’s Day gift each year. She liked that. I never wanted to believe she was ill, she was tough as old boots and I thought she would be OK… I collapsed yesterday when I heard the news.”