EastEnders’ icon Pat Butcher, portrayed by Pam St Clement, is rumoured to make a comeback for the One soap’s 40th anniversary.
Pat, known for her oversized earrings, first graced Walford in 1986 and quickly became a beloved character. In 1989, she tied the knot with Frank Butcher (Mike Reid) in a memorable ceremony, and they later took over The Queen Vic.
Over the years, Pat kept audiences hooked with her love affairs, four weddings, neighbourhood disputes, and numerous heated clashes with her rival and best friend, Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor).
However, on New Year’s Day 2012, the feisty leopard print-clad resident of Walford breathed her last while holding her son David Wicks (Michael French).
Pat’s devastating death followed a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.
Pam St Clement left EastEnders after 25 years of playing Pat Butcher (Image: BBC)
But that wasn’t the end of Pat Butcher. In 2016, Pam St Clement reprised her role for a brief appearance in Peggy Mitchell’s final episode, reports .
She appeared as a ghost and had a final conversation with Peggy before her death.
Now, 13 years after her heartbreaking on-screen demise, Pat is tipped to return during ‘ 40th-anniversary week in February.
currently places Pam St Clement at evens to return for the show’s milestone celebration.
Pat Butcher’s death left EastEnders fans heartbroken (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes)
As the soap’s landmark anniversary approaches, a host of iconic characters have made brief comebacks, including Laurie Brett as Jane Beale, Michael French as David Wicks, Tracy-Ann Oberman as Chrissie Watts, Paul Nicholls as Joe Wicks, Joe Swash as Mickey Miller, and Louisa Lytton as Ruby Allen.
Maddy Hill and Danny Hatchard returned to their roles as Nancy and Lee Carter in December for a special episode centred around Linda Carter’s (Kellie Bright) battle with alcoholism.
In a surprising twist, Paul Bradley stunned fans on Christmas Eve by reprising his role as Nigel Bates 26 years after leaving the show, revealing a heartbreaking dementia diagnosis.
Ross Kemp is reprising his role as Grant Mitchell in EastEnders (Image: BBC)
Ross Kemp is the latest big name confirmed to be returning to Walford soon. Soap chiefs are remaining mum on exactly when Grant will appear on-screen for the first time since 2016, but he is set to reunite with his brother Phil (Steve McFadden) and old friend Nigel.
Mimi Keene, who played Cindy Beale Jr, is now the new favourite at 8/15 to return to Walford in February, followed by Nigel’s wife Julie Haye, portrayed by Karen Henthorn, with odds of 4/6.
Could Pat Butcher also make a cameo?
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