EASTENDERS fans were emotional on Monday night as the beloved character Pat Butcher made an unexpected return to the square, despite having passed away over ten years ago.
Viewers quickly took to social media, arguing that she should never have been written off in the first place.
Fans were emotional when Pat Butcher made a surprise return to Albert Square during Monday night’s episodeCredit: BBCThe character passed away in 2012, but she appears in a scene where Nigel is transported back to the 90sCredit: BBC
Actress Pam St Clement returned for the special episode, despite Pat's demise from cancer back in 2012.
Fans expressed their joy at her return, insisting that the producers made a significant error by killing off her character.
One viewer tweeted: “I can’t lie, I cried. What a delight to see Pat again. Killing her off was the worst decision they’ve ever made. #Eastenders
“Pat should never have been killed off #EastEnders,” another user stated.
A third user added: “Truly one of the worst decisions #eastenders ever made was to kill off Pat.”
Another fan praised actress Pam, saying: “The biggest mistake #EastEnders made back in 2012 was killing off Pat Butcher/Evans. Pam St Clement looks fantastic 13 years later.”
However, it’s important to note that this episode marked her return after 25 years on-screen.
At the time of her departure, she told The Mirror : “It was very, very difficult. I was saying goodbye to a character I’d portrayed for nearly 26 years and, while I had chosen to leave EastEnders, I didn’t want Pat to die.
“I was determined that there should be a chance for her to come back and had been assured by the executive producer that she wouldn’t be written off…I left feeling empty and disappointed,” she added.
In the episode, Nigel was seen struggling to recall his whereabouts, wandering the Square in search of a taxi. As he stumbled into the Queen Vic, he suddenly found himself surrounded by 90s decor and characters, including the iconic Pat herself.
“What do you have to do to get a taxi in this place?” Nigel complained.
“And a very Merry Christmas to you and all, sweetheart,” Pat responded.
Pat, portrayed by Pam St Clement, left the soap after 25 yearsCredit: BBCShe is celebrated as “iconic” by soap fans, who have expressed their frustration at the character's departureCredit: BBC
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pat Butcher leave EastEnders?
Pat Butcher, portrayed by Pam St Clement, left EastEnders after 25 years on-screen. The character was written off due to her demise from cancer in 2012, a decision that many fans disagreed with.
How did fans react to Pat's return?
Fans were thrilled to see Pat Butcher return, with many taking to social media to express their joy and insist that the character should never have been killed off.
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Fans were emotional when Pat Butcher made a surprise return to Albert Square during Monday night’s episodeCredit: BBC
The character passed away in 2012, but she appears in a scene where Nigel is transported back to the 90sCredit: BBC
Pat, portrayed by Pam St Clement, left the soap after 25 yearsCredit: BBC
She is celebrated as “iconic” by soap fans, who have expressed their frustration at the character's departureCredit: BBC
