February 14th 2025.
Pat Butcher was a beloved character on EastEnders for 26 years, from 1986 to 2012. Her signature oversized earrings were just as iconic as she was on Albert Square. Recently, actress Pam St Clement, who played Pat, shared a surprising secret about those earrings during her return to the soap in a new documentary. The documentary, hosted by fellow Walford legend Ross Kemp, celebrates the show's 40th anniversary.
During their conversation on an old London bus, Ross asks Pam about her time playing Pat and the story behind her character's love for big earrings. Pam, now 82 years old, recalls how she got the idea from a bus conductress she saw wearing dangling earrings on a number 38 bus. From then on, Pat always wore earrings that matched her mood. Pam even received some of those earrings from viewers who thought they would be perfect for Pat.
Pam's debut on EastEnders in 1986 was just the beginning of many memorable moments for Pat. Her marriage to Frank Butcher in 1987 led to the couple taking over The Queen Vic pub. Sadly, Pat's final storyline saw her passing away from pancreatic cancer, but not before being reunited with her son David Wicks. Since leaving the show in 2012, Pam has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, but she did make a special appearance in 2016 during Peggy Mitchell's final scenes.
As the soap's 40th anniversary approaches, fans can expect some exciting events. The show will air a live episode on February 20, just one day after the big 4-0. This will be the third time EastEnders has gone live for an anniversary, and this time, viewers will have the power to vote on the outcome of a storyline, with the actors having to react live on air. Denise Fox's love triangle with Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati will also come to a head, with the audience deciding who she ends up with.
One of the most anticipated moments of the anniversary week is the return of Grant Mitchell, played by Ross Kemp. The actor teases that Grant will be back with a bang, as he has never been far from the action. Fans can also look forward to the reveal of Cindy Beale's attacker, who left her for dead on Christmas Day after her affair with her former stepson was exposed.
Special programming will also air leading up to the big week, including a look back at archive performances from cast members and a behind-the-scenes documentary with Ross Kemp. The Queen Vic will also explode during the anniversary week, as Billy and Honey Mitchell's wedding is interrupted by a fire that destroys the pub. And, of course, the documentary will feature Ross catching up with other beloved EastEnders stars, such as Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts) and Anita Dobson (Angie Watts).
EastEnders: 40 Years on the Square airs on Monday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer. So, stay tuned for all the exciting anniversary celebrations and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!
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