EASTENDERS fans were left in tears on Monday evening as show icon Pat Butcher made a shocking return to the square – despite dying over a decade ago.
Fans quickly took to social media to discuss the moment, insisting that she should have never left in the first place.
Actress Pam St Clement has reprised her role for the special episode despite Pat dying of cancer back in 2012.
And fans were so happy to see her that they insisted producers made a huge mistake ever killing the character off.
One viewer shared to X: “I can’t lie, I cried. What a joy to see Pat again. Killing her off was the worst decision they’ve ever made. #Eastenders
“Pat should never have been killed off #EastEnders,” said another.
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A third echoed: “Genuinely one of the worst things #eastenders ever did was kill off Pat.”
Another praised actress Pam as they said: “The biggest mistake #EastEnders made back in 2012 was killing off Pat Butcher/Evans. Pam St Clement looks sensational 13 years later”.
However, it was actually the actress’ decision to leave the soap, after 25 years on-screen.
At the time, she told The Mirror: “It was very, very difficult. I was saying goodbye to a character I’d inhabited for almost 26 years and, while I had chosen to leave EastEnders, I didn’t want Pat to die.
“I was adamant there should be a chance for her to return and had been assured by the executive producer she wouldn’t be axed…I went away feeling empty and let down,” she added.
In the episode, Nigel was seen struggling to remember where he was and he was seen wandering the Square trying to find a taxi.
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But as he wandered into the Queen Vic, Nigel suddenly found himself surrounded by 90s decor and characters – including the icon herself.
“What do you have to do to get a taxi in this place?” Nigel moaned.
“And a very Merry Christmas to you and all sweetheart,” Pat replied.
