EastEnders icon Pam St Clement is set to return to Walford this December.
The actress, 83, who is widely known for portraying the role of Pat Butcher in the BBC soap from 1986 until January 2012, will reprise her role for a special episode as part of Nigel Bates’s dementia storyline.
Earlier this year, Nigel, portrayed by actor Paul Bradley, 70, revealed that he was suffering from dementia as he opened up to Yolande Trueman, portrayed by Angela Wynter.
And as his memories and altered reality take him back to the 1990s, Pat will return to The Queen Vic to help Nigel when his dementia symptoms intensify following an emotional evening at his festive film screening.
The special episode will transmit in December, and EastEnders has been working closely with Dementia UK on Nigel’s storyline since its inception.
Speaking on her return to EastEnders, Pam 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.
EastEnders icon Pam St Clement is set to return to Walford this December (pictured on the soap in 2011)
The actress, 83, who is widely known for portraying the role of Pat Butcher in the BBC soap from 1986 until January 2012, will reprise her role for a special episode as part of Nigel’s 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.’
Ben Wadey, EastEnders Executive Producer, 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.
He continued: ‘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.’
Pat last stepped foot in Albert Square back in May 2016 when she returned as a figment of Peggy’s (Barbara Windsor) imagination on the night of her death as Peggy bid farewell to her character and the Square one final time.
However, Pat officially left EastEnders back in 2012 when her character died of cancer on New Year’s Day.
The news comes after Pam shared a moving tribute to her former on-screen husband, Tony Caunter, after his death was announced.
The actor, who played Roy Evans on the BBC soap, died on October 13, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years passed away.
Pam branded her co-star a ‘true gentleman’, saying she was ‘very saddened’ to hear of his passing.
Speaking on her return to EastEnders, Pam 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’ (pictured 2007)
She continued: ‘It was lovely to be welcomed back by those with whom I had worked for so long. It was just like coming home’ (pictured 1998)
In a statement provided to The Sun, she said: ‘I am very saddened to hear of Tony’s passing. He was not only a lovely man, but a true gentleman to work with.’
Tony played car dealer Roy for nine years after joining EastEnders in 1994, and he was introduced as a love interest for Pat, with the pair later getting hitched.
A statement from Tony’s family revealed that the star died just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years had passed away.
It read: ‘It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.
‘Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
‘He will be missed by all.’
The family added: ‘We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.’
A statement from EastEnders added: ‘It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.
The news comes after Pam shared a moving tribute to her former on-screen husband, Tony Caunter, after his death was announced (both pictured in 1995)
Tony played car dealer Roy for nine years after joining EastEnders in 1994, and he was introduced as a love interest for Pat, with the pair later getting hitched (both pictured on the soap in 2001)
‘Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour, as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.
‘Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.
‘Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years, and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends.’
Tony starred in the soap as car dealer Roy Evans, appearing in over 634 episodes over a nine-year period.
