Sad, sad, sad NEWS!!!! Legendary daytime actress, Helen Wagner, who spent over 54 years playing Nancy Hughes on CBS's "As the World Turns", and holds the Guiness Book of World Record's title as the actress who has played the longest running character in television history, a title unlikely to ever be bested by anyone (especially on the increasingly fickle canvas that television has become), has passed away at the age of 91. Helen is also the ONLY original cast member who actually spoke the first line on the FIRST episode of ATWT, April 2, 1956!!! This is very sad. Although ATWT has had it's ups and downs over the years, the presence of veteran characters such as Nancy Hughes provided a sense of stability and sanity amongst the insanity!! She reminded us that this show is about it's CHARACTERS---first, last and always!! I find this to be particularly sad since I was looking forward to seeing Nancy Hughes speak the last words on the September finale. Well, I wasn't "looking forward" to it, but I was certainly hoping that she would be the one to usher this show into soap opera heaven!!! I hope that ATWT will make the final months about the VETERAN characters----Lisa, Bob, Kim, Lucinda, Margo, Tom and the MEMORY of Nancy Hughes!!! I am TRULY saddened to report the loss of another beloved daytime matriarch!! RIP, Helen Wagner!! You shall be missed!!! Heaven has gained an angel, and daytime has lost one!!