EastEnders reveals Pat Evans' return as she appears in sick Nigel’s time of need

Pat's returning to EastEnders!
Joel Harley

Pat Evans is set to return to EastEnders, the soap has revealed. This comes as Nigel’s dementia symptoms worsen, and memories of his life in the 1990s come flooding back. In his confusion, Nigel imagines a conversation with Walford icon Pat, who died in 2012.

The soap already hinted that a big surprise was coming this Christmas – and they don’t come much bigger than Pat. And, to mark this very special episode, Pam St. Clement will don the iconic earrings once more to reprise her most famous role.

Pat and Nigel in The Vic on EastEnders
Pat’s coming back to EastEnders! (Credit: BBC)

EastEnders reveals Pam St. Clement’s return to EastEnders as Pat Evans

Of her return to EastEnders, Pam said: “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.”

EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey said: “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.”

Pam made a brief return to EastEnders in 2016. In doing so, she appeared as a figment of long-time (and now dying) frenemy Peggy Mitchell’s imagination. Her return will mark over thirteen years since Pat herself died, passing away of cancer on New Year’s Day.

Nigel at the courthouse on EastEnders
Pat’s return comes as Nigel’s decline to dementia continues (Credit: BBC)

What to expect as Pat ‘returns’ to Walford

Pat’s surprise comeback comes as Nigel’s dementia symptoms intensify. According to the BBC, Nigel grows confused after screening his film for friends and neighbours, and his thoughts turn to the 1990s – which is where Pat awaits.

EastEnders worked with Dementia UK to ensure that they have portrayed Nigel’s story portrayed accurately and sensitively.

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.