Pat Evans, formerly Butcher, is to hang up her earrings after 25 years in EastEnders.
Pam St Clement, the soap’s second longest serving actor, said: “I have enjoyed 25 and a half wonderful years in EastEnders creating the character of Pat but feel it’s time to hang up her earrings.” But what will she do now, is Clement quitting acting?
She responded to rumours that she was quitting acting with, “Leaving the EastEnders ‘family’ will be akin to a bereavement, but I’m looking forward to other work and life opportunities that I will have the time to pursue.”
Her exit comes a year after the departure of Barbara Windsor, who played Pat’s love rival Peggy Mitchell. The feuding pair came to blows in several catfights in the Queen Vic, often prompted by Pat’s love life. She was married four times – most memorably to Frank Butcher played by the late Mike Reid
Executive Producer Bryan Kirwood said, “Over the years we’ve seen her develop from a shrew into a matriarch, and Pat’s colour, warmth and steel have given EastEnders some of its most memorable stories. Pam will be missed by everyone in Walford.”
Clement is the second longest serving cast member after Adam Woodyatt on the show.
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