“EastEnders icon Pat Butcher makes a dramatic comeback to the BBC soap after nine years.”
EastEnders has revealed the dramatic return of Pat Butcher as Nigel Bates faces worsening dementia symptoms.
Regular viewers of the BBC soap know that Nigel (played by Paul Bradley) has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, which plays a central role in his storyline leading up to Christmas 2024.
The condition causes confusion and memory loss, prompting Nigel to hide his diagnosis and struggle with its effects. On Monday (December 22), the residents of Walford began celebrating the festive season with a screening of Nigel’s film at the community centre.
However, after overhearing his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and close friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) debating how to handle his declining health, Nigel retreats to The Queen Vic for some peace.
Nigel begins to blur the line between past and present memories. In his confusion, he is visited by a familiar face from his past—Pat (Pam St Clement).
As his mind drifts back to 1990, Pat returns to The Queen Vic, where she once served as landlady alongside her husband, Frank (Mike Reid).
On Tuesday (December 23), Pat steps in to support her old friend Nigel as his dementia takes a sudden turn for the worse, with both her and Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson) trying to help him. This marks Pat’s first appearance in Walford since her ghostly cameo in 2016.
When did Pat Butcher first appear on EastEnders?
Pat, famous for her bold statement earrings, made her debut in Walford in 1986 and quickly became a fan favourite.
In 1989, she married businessman Frank in a classic East End ceremony that involved the whole community, and the couple eventually took over The Queen Vic.
Over the years, Pat won viewers over with her romantic adventures, four marriages, local feuds, and numerous fiery clashes with her former rival-turned-best friend, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor). Yet on New Year’s Day 2012, the leopard print-loving Walford icon passed away in the arms of her son, David Wicks (Michael French).
Pat’s tragic death came after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but her story didn’t completely end there.
In 2016, Pam St Clement briefly reprised the role for Peggy Mitchell’s final, emotional episode.
She appeared as a spirit, sharing one last heartfelt conversation with her closest friend, Peggy, before departing.
Reflecting on her return to EastEnders, Pam said: “I was both surprised and thrilled to be invited back to walk the streets of Walford again and take part in Nigel’s moving dementia storyline. It was wonderful to be welcomed back by everyone I had worked with for so long—it truly felt like coming home.”
Why did Pam St Clement leave EastEnders?
Although viewers were moved by Pat Butcher’s emotional on-screen death, Pam St Clement never wanted her beloved character to be killed off.
In a 2015 interview with The Mirror, Pam reflected on her difficult exit, saying, “It was very, very hard. I was saying goodbye to a character I had played for almost 26 years, and although I chose to leave EastEnders, I didn’t want Pat to die.”
She added, “I was determined there should be a possibility for her to return and had been assured by the executive producer that she wouldn’t be axed.”
Looking back, Pam explained, “When I felt it was time to hang up the earrings, I took Bryan Kirkwood, the then executive producer, out for dinner to discuss leaving.” She was clear about her wishes: “One important thing I requested was that Pat shouldn’t be killed off. Bryan’s response was clear—he assured me Pat wouldn’t be axed.”
Life after EastEnders for Pam St Clement
In 2015, Pam St Clement publicly revealed for the first time that she had been in a romantic relationship with a woman. Pam, who identifies as bisexual, was previously married to a man named Andrew Gordon in the 1960s, but the marriage ended in divorce.
In her autobiography The End of The Earring, she described coming to terms with her bisexuality as a “bombshell” and admitted to having an affair with a woman while living in Australia.
Reflecting on the experience, Pam said, “That month in Sydney flew by, and soon we were saying our goodbyes at the airport, promising to meet again in the UK. I almost missed my plane because I felt so heartbroken leaving.”
Eventually, Pam entered into a relationship with a woman named Diana. However, in her memoir, she admitted that her tendency to “over-care” can sometimes “smother” a relationship.
Speaking to The Mirror in 2015, Pam shared that she had experienced the occasional fling “but nothing meaningful” before falling in love with Diana, who became an important part of her life.
She reflected, “I fell for a woman who was attractive, intelligent, witty, and great fun to be with. Diana and I built a happy, stable relationship. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I should have stayed single. I want to love and be loved, yet I am fiercely independent.”
“But this was a relationship I couldn’t resist. It was a fresh, exciting experience, completely different from anything I’d known. We each had our own careers but built a home together.”
After her emotional exit from EastEnders, Pam appeared in three episodes of Casualty in 2016, but otherwise she has been enjoying life away from the spotlight.
However, she returned to BBC One in February 2025 to celebrate EastEnders’ 40th anniversary.
Having spent 13 years away from Walford, Pam joined Ross Kemp, who plays Grant Mitchell, in the documentary EastEnders: 40 Years of the Square.
Throughout the emotional hour-long programme, Pam candidly discussed her character while reminiscing with Ross on the number 38 bus.
Reflecting on past storylines, they also watched clips from a touching 2016 episode in which Pat appeared as a spirit to console Peggy Mitchell, played by Dame Barbara Windsor, during her final moments.
The pair viewed footage of their beloved late colleague, clearly moved by the memories. Tearfully, Pam said, “Well, I miss her,” before adding, “I mean, I miss her so much,” as she struggled to hold back her tears.
- Jake Wood posts rare photos of his lookalike son, leaving EastEnders fans in agreement
- EastEnders’ Mark Fowler Jr actor ‘overwhelmed’ with support following career announcement
- “Emmerdale star’s heartwarming co-star news has fans reacting similarly”
- General Hospital Spoilers: Is Willow Planning Her Next Deadly Move Against Jacinda?
- General Hospital Spoilers: Nathan and Lulu’s Fiery Rendezvous Leads to a Jaw-Dropping Betrayal Ahead of Maxie’s Comeback
