EastEnders fans and Metro readers are still struggling to process the news Pat Evans (Pam St Clement) is returning to the BBC One soap.

We know!

Yesterday, the show confirmed that Pat, who died in 2012, is returning as part of visions experienced by Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley), who has dementia.

 

 

We have seen her once before since, when she appeared from beyond the grave to say her parting words to the bitch to her cow, Peggy Mitchell.

As Nigel’s memories and altered reality take him back to the 1990s, Pat returns to The Queen Vic to help him when his dementia symptoms intensify following an emotional evening at his festive film screening.

 

 

The news left audience members absolutely stunned. Taking to our Metro Soaps Facebook page, so many fans of the beloved soap expressed their shock at the fact they will see this iconic face again.

Christine Ellison Fielding said: ‘Loved Pat’, while Pauline Raven called Pat’s return ‘Great news’.

Hazel Brown noted: ‘And she still looks the same!’.

 

 

Jo Marie added in agreement ‘Can’t wait! Excellent actress’, while Carole Thomas summed it up perfectly by calling Pat ‘One of the best on the square’.

Over on X, fans were just as excited.

Eve called yesterday the ‘best day of my life’, while this person said: ‘This is gonna be emotional but beautifully done. I’m looking forward to it’.

Speaking for all of us, Becki wrote ‘I’m so happy right now!’.

 

 

Discussing her return to EastEnders, Pam St Clement enthused: ‘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.’

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.

‘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.’

Characters returning as ghosts happens frequently in the soap. Earlier this year, Angie Watts (Anita Dobson) appeared in the Queen Vic rubble to help a trapped Sharon (Letitia Dean) and in 2023, Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) was back as a figment of Amy Mitchell’s (Ellie Dadd) imagination.

Nigel Bates returned to Walford in Christmas 2024. He is an old friend of Grant and Phil Mitchell’s (Ross Kemp and Steve McFadden), but no one really knew why he was in the area initially.