EastEnders legend Pam St Clement reveals ‘bewildering’ reaction to show return
EastEnders legend Pam St Clement has revealed her reaction to her upcoming Walford return. The actor, who played Pat Evans for over 25 years, will be reprising her role for a special Christmas episode next week.
Pat exited the soap on New Year’s Day 2012, as she tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer. She was last seen on screen in 2016 when she was hallucinated by her dying best friend Peggy Mitchell.
In scenes that will air on Tuesday (23 December), Pat makes a special cameo alongside her stepson Barry Evans (Shaun Williamson), who was killed off in 2004. They appear as a figment of Nigel Bates’ imagination, as his dementia symptoms intensify and he experiences a blast from the past.
“I’m very spoilt here because I’m part of something which has happened out of the period of time that I was a regular on EastEnders, and also, some very interesting – I hope it will be interesting to the viewer – some very interesting work,” St Clement said of her return.
The actor revealed she was “a bit bewildered” and “a bit bowled over” when she was asked don Pat’s iconic earrings once again for the special episode.
“Coming back to jump into those clothes and make-up again was strangely difficult. I thought it was going to be much easier, but I think I’ve probably been through the point in my life, having played her, where I had divested myself of her,” she shared.
“Her accoutrement, her clothes, her make-up and everything else, and I thought I had, but the strange thing is that the public don’t because it’s so fresh. That’s probably because there are a lot of repeats that go on, on television.”
St Clement recalled her surprise at being approached by fans who she thought would be “too young” to know her. She shared that she has gained a “nice” following since her exit, from viewers who watch classic episodes of the soap.
Much like EastEnders fans, the actor shared her attachment to Pat’s unique earrings, which she said helped her get back into character. “I would say that the key to the whole ensemble must be the earrings.”