[Arneldo]

DOOMED Pauline Fowler sits in a daze cuddling her dog as her home blazes.

The EastEnders battleaxe, played by Wendy Richard, accidentally starts the fire with a ciggie.

Son Martin (James Alexandrou) hears his mum’s pooch Betty barking and tries to break into the burning house.

An insider said: “Pauline is in a daze and can’t even bring herself to move.” The cliffhanger plot comes after she eavesdrops on a conversation involving hubby Joe.

Martin and Sonia tell him they are back together, and Sonia snipes: “Pauline’s never going to be happy.” Joe replies: “I think Pauline may be a little bit depressed”. Dot Cotton chips in that they should not tell her the news.

The insider said: “Pauline is stunned that all her nearest and dearest are lying to her and bitching about her.

“She hears every word they say and when they leave she goes downstairs and lights a cigarette. She leaves it in the ashtray and goes upstairs — but it falls out. Martin can hear Betty’s barking. He tries to break in, but Pauline sits on her bed awaiting her fate.”

We told this week how all the cast turned up to film Pauline’s funeral.

Albert Square legend Wendy, 63, filmed her final scenes two weeks ago.

The Sun