For anyone who didn’t grow up with British television, Pat Butcher is a character who existed in a league of her own. She wasn’t just a supporting player; she was a force of nature. Her death episode, aired on New Year’s Day in 2012, drew over 10 million viewers in the UK.
EastEnders legend Pat Butcher ‘RETURNING' to Albert Square four years
Pam St. Clement approached the decision to kill off Pat with profound professionalism. She felt the character had run her natural course, and she wanted to give fans a proper, gut-wrenching goodbye. And boy, did she deliver. That final scene with her ring on the phone? Dodgy. The acting? Flawless.
It’s worth noting that Pat’s catchphrase, “Get out of my pub!”, is now part of the British lexicon. It’s a phrase used for anything from ending a bad date to telling a persistent telemarketer to take a hike. That’s the power of a well-written soap opera character.
Fun Facts to Share at Your Next Dinner Party
Want to sound clever? Pam St. Clement originally auditioned for the role of a different character in 1985, but the producers saw something special in her. She was offered the part of Pat, a character initially meant to be a temporary villain. It became the role of a lifetime.
Pam is also a passionate animal rights activist. When she isn’t being mistaken for a deceased fictional character, she spends her time supporting horses and wildlife charities. It’s a lovely contrast to the high-drama world of Walford.
And here’s a final gem: The actress actually keeps a pair of Pat’s signature giant earrings as a memento. She’s said they’re “too comfortable to throw away.” If that isn’t a mantra for living a good, weird, authentic life, I don’t know what is.
