EastEnders spoilers follow.
EastEnders has announced that Albert Square icon Pat Evans will make a sensational return to the soap next month, as Pam St Clement briefly reprises her role for a very special episode that focuses on Nigel Bates’ young on-set dementia.
Matriarch Pat – most famously known as Pat Butcher – is one of EastEnders’ most legendary characters, making waves in Walford for over 25 years until the character tragically died of cancer on New Years’ Day 2012.
Viewers will remember that Pat was last seen on the show in May 2016, when she returned as a figment of Peggy’s imagination before her own sad death.
Now nearly a decade on from this emotional episode, Pam is donning Pat’s decadent earrings once more, as she heads back to the Square for a very special reason.
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Nigel’s dementia story has been playing out on screen since his return last December. This week he decided to join forces with Lexi and make one of his old scripts, titled Santa Claws, into a film.
Next month, the community will hold a festive screening of Nigel’s film and emotions run high. But it’s a difficult night for Nigel, and his memories and altered reality take him back to the 1990s.
The special Christmas episode will see Pat return to The Vic to help Nigel when his dementia symptoms intensify. EastEnders has also released a touching photo of Pat with Nigel, back in the pub where she used to be landlady.
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In a statement about her incredible return, Pam St Clement said: "I was both surprised and excited to be asked back to tread the streets of Walford once again, and to be involved in Nigel’s touching dementia storyline.
"It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home."
Executive producer Ben Wadey added: "It’s an honour and a privilege to welcome Pam St Clement back to EastEnders for a special episode in Nigel’s ongoing dementia storyline.
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"Pat Evans is one of the most cherished and iconic characters to have graced the streets of Walford, and I know I speak on behalf of everyone when I say what a delight it was to see Pat and Pam back in The Queen Vic as she helps Nigel in his time of need."
EastEnders airs on Mondays - Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
More information about dementia is available via organisations including the NHS and Dementia UK. Resources for readers in the US are available via the National Institutes of Health.
