Former 'EastEnders' star Melanie Clark Pullen has died aged 46

Former EastEnders star Melanie Clark Pullen has died from breast cancer aged 46.

The actor played Pauline Fowler's niece Mary Flaherty in the BBC One soap from 1997 to 1999, starring alongside the late Wendy Richard who played Fowler.

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Mum-of-three Clark Pullen was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2019, but sadly died on March 29 this year, with tributes pouring in for her as people learned of the news.

The EastEnders discussion account Walford Web tweeted: "Sad to hear that Melanie Clark Pullen, who played Mary Flaherty in #EastEnders, has died aged 46. RIP."

Broadcaster Maia Dunphy tweeted: "Our funny, beautiful, eccentric, creative Goddess Melanie Clark Pullen is gone. What a writer you were @StrutandBellow, what a force of nature, & most importantly, what a Mama. Your words and your babies live on. Our love and thoughts are with Simon."

In 2020, Clark Pullen had been given the all-clear from her treatment, telling The Irish News at the time: "I got the all clear. I’m cancer free, which is great, so now it’s all about recovery."

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However, last year she was diagnosed with a secondary tumour on her brain.

She had written about the disease and how she was facing treatment through her website Strut and Bellow.

Her EastEnders storylines included a love triangle with Joe Wicks (Paul Nicholls) and Sarah Hills (Daniela Denby-Ashe), breaking her pelvis on a trip to Norfolk, and eventually leaving Walford to live in Scotland.

Clark Pullen's other acting roles included Catherine Cookson's A Dinner of Herbs, The Railway Children and Inspector George Gently.

Andrew Lynford, who played Simon Raymond on EastEnders during the same period, tweeted: "How sad to hear we have lost one of the gang. RIP dear Melanie. Remembering happy days @bbceastenders"

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