Richard married her long-term partner John Burns before starting treatment for cancer.

The ex-EastEnder, who has beaten cancer twice previously, brought the date of the ceremony, at a hotel in London's Mayfair, forward after learning the devastating news that the disease had returned.

Richard found the disease had returned to her left armpit during an annual check-up in January. It has since spread to her right kidney and bones.

Celebrity guests who attended the event included Todd Carty, who played Richard's son Mark Fowler in EastEnders, Perry Fenwick, who plays Billy Mitchell in the soap, Laila Morse, who plays Mo Harris, and Richard's on-screen daughter-in-law Natalie Cassidy.

As the couple left, the pavement outside was strewn with red-petal confetti.

The couple got into a stretch-Saab with blacked-out windows.

The actress's beloved dog Lily, a two-year-old cairn terrier, who is the niece of Betty, Pauline Fowler's dog in EastEnders, was a special guest.

Mr Burns smiled and waved Lily's paw before the couple left.

David Croft, a creator of Dad's Army, was another guest.

Richard left the hotel dressed in a smart grey wrap-over cardigan.

Around 60 family members and close friends are thought to have attended the civil ceremony and reception.

Richard has been with her new husband for 13 years and he is 20 years her junior. Guests kept tight-lipped about details of the ceremony.

Scores of photographers stood outside the hotel as the proceedings, which lasted just over three hours, took place.

But one guest, holding a glass of champagne, described it as a "joyous occasion with the dog playing a major part.

"It barked right on time."

Earlier, the groom, dressed in a grey suit, emerged from the hotel, giving the "thumbs-up" signal, indicating that the ceremony had gone well.

As he was leaving, Carty grinned and said: "It was a wonderful day, a wonderful day for Wendy and John."

Richard previously said she wanted to have a "pain-free" day and a laugh at the event, being featured in an exclusive deal with OK!

The couple's honeymoon, has been postponed until after the star finishes chemotherapy, which starts on Monday.

Richard, who played Pauline in EastEnders for 21 years, has been married three times previously.