For more than two decades, Pam St Clement lit up our screens as the bold and brassy Pat Butcher on EastEnders.
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With her neon lipstick, chunky earrings, and sharp tongue, she became a British TV legend. But stepping away from Albert Square wasn't just a script change — it marked a huge transformation in Pam's life. Over the years, the show has seen many exits from Martin to Pauline Fowler, but none like Pam St Clement.
Her stint on EastEnders: A Walford icon's dramatic journey
Pam St Clement first graced Albert Square in 1986, just a year after EastEnders launched. Her portrayal of Pat quickly captured viewers' hearts, with her character's complicated love life, tumultuous friendships, and iconic showdowns — including the unforgettable brawl with Peggy Mitchell — cementing her place in soap history.
Throughout her time on the show, Pat was known for her colourful wardrobe and even more colourful past. She married Frank Butcher in 1989 and Roy Evans in 1996, endured prison sentences, survived a heart attack, and faced many personal dramas. Viewers also saw Pat become the landlady of The Queen Vic and survive countless confrontations, often ending in dramatic slaps.
One of Pat's most memorable trademarks was her oversized earrings. Pam recently revealed the charming story behind them, saying:
When I got the part of Pat like any actor I decided to do a bit of homework, I saw this bus conductress on a number 38 bus and she was wearing these most dangly earrings. Pat always wears the earring that fit her mood.
Pam also shared that fans contributed to Pat's signature look as ‘most of them came from viewers.’ She said:
They’d say – I saw these in the market and I thought they were absolutely right for Pat!
Pam herself acknowledged her deep connection to the role. Upon leaving the show, she shared:
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.
Leaving the EastEnders 'family' will be akin to a bereavement. But I'm looking forward to the other work and life opportunities that I will have the time to pursue.
Pat's story ultimately ended in heartbreak for viewers when she died from pancreatic cancer in a dramatic and emotional episode aired on New Year's Day 2012.
Her time on EastEnders may have ended, but the story of her departure brought its own twists.
A shocking exit: Disappointment over Pat's departure
While Pam chose to leave the show, she had clear hopes about how her character would bow out.
Reportedly, she wanted to keep some space open for her return. In her own words:
I was adamant there should be a chance for her to return and had been assured by the executive producer she wouldn’t be axed.
Pam took Bryan Kirkwood, then the executive producer, out for dinner to discuss her exit. She explained:
One crucial thing I asked for was that Pat shouldn’t be killed off. Brian’s response was unequivocal. He assured me that Pat wouldn’t be axed.
Later, she also met with John Yorke, then BBC head of series. She added:
Looking straight into my eyes at one point, he said, ‘We would never kill off Pat’.
However, a few months later, she was told that Pat would be written out — permanently. She said:
I was so shocked.
Someone changed the goalposts. For the sake of a hard-hitting exit Pat would be ‘brown bread’.
I truly don’t know if I could have flatly refused to die – indeed, if I could have made any difference. I went away feeling empty and let down.
This revelation was shared in her autobiography, The End of an Earring, where she described how difficult it was to part with a character she had inhabited for 26 years. Pam wrote:
It was very, very difficult.
I was saying goodbye to a character I'd inhabited for almost 26 years and, while I had chosen to leave EastEnders, I didn't want Pat to die.
In the book, Pam also expressed why she had been so private about her personal life. She said:
I'm old fashioned my darling. I feel the more you expose of yourself the more difficult it is for the audience to see the character. People would have got me and Pat confused.
Despite her disappointment, Pam handled the situation professionally, delivering a powerful final performance that saw over 10.5 million viewers tune in to Pat's emotional farewell.
Life after EastEnders: Memoirs, reflections, and a special return
Following her exit in 2012, Pam stepped away from the spotlight for a quieter life. However, she returned for a special project — the EastEnders: 40 Years of the Square documentary in 2025.
In the documentary, Pam reunited with Ross Kemp (Grant Mitchell) aboard a number 38 bus — a nod to her earlier inspiration for Pat's love of earrings.
During the reunion, Pam also opened up about her feelings toward her late co-star Dame Barbara Windsor.
Pam's post-EastEnders life has included writing her autobiography, The End of an Earring, where she detailed her tumultuous upbringing, relationships, and experiences both on and off-screen. Her story paints a picture of resilience, independence, and an enduring love for the art of acting.
She also opened up about her love life, something she had kept private for many years. Pam was married to a man in the 1960s but later realised she was bisexual. She revealed that she had a long-term relationship with a woman named Diana, describing her as 'an attractive woman who was intelligent, witty and fun to be with.'
Reflecting on her past, Pam said:
I want to love and be loved but I am fiercely independent.
But this was a relationship I couldn’t resist. It was a new experience, exciting and different in every way.
Today, Pam, now 82, continues to be cherished by fans for her unforgettable contribution to British television, and her legacy as Pat Butcher remains firmly intact.
Read more:
Natalie Cassidy leaves EastEnders after 32 years: What’s next for the actress?
Iconic EastEnders actress Kim Medcalf leaves the show yet again, here’s the real reason why
Sources used:
The Guardian: EastEnders' Pat to leave Albert Square
Mirror: Pam St Clement: EastEnders promised Pat wouldn't be killed off - I felt empty and let down
OK! Magazine: EastEnders icon Pam St Clement’s life after Pat Butcher and why she quit BBC soap
Metro: Pam St Clement reveals big Pat Butcher secret as she stages EastEnders return
