She returned, along with other women from Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) past, in a concussion-related dream sequence for a Children in Need special on 14 November 2014.

She and her best friend, Mo Porter (Laila Morse), entered a beauty contest in Clacton at 16, winning the title of "Miss Butlins".

Pat began working for shady club owner Tony Cattani (Vas Constanti), who got her involved in prostitution.

She had flings with Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) and Kenny Beale (Michael Attwell), both restless men who were unwilling to settle down with her.

When Pat is assaulted in February 1987 — left unconscious and close to death in the middle of the Square — Pete is prime suspect in the police investigation.

As such, Pat gradually elevates herself as a surrogate mother and close relative of Pete and Kathy's son Ian (Adam Woodyatt).

Pat has a hard time in her role as the stepmother to Frank's children, particularly with his troublesome youngest daughter Janine (Rebecca Michael).

However, disaster strikes on Christmas Eve that year, when Pat — doing a short run for a regular customer — hits a teenage girl who later dies from her injuries.

In desperation, Frank pays local hardman Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) to torch the car lot in an insurance scam.

[6] Local car dealer Roy Evans (Tony Caunter) arrives in Albert Square and is attracted to Pat, but early attempts to woo her get him nothing but refusals.

Pat finds it hard to contain her rage and emotion when she sees her estranged husband, but despite him stirring up old feelings, she chooses to stay with Roy and they marry in 1996.

This starts off well throughout the rest of 2001 and the entirety of 2002, during which Pat reunites with her stepson and Frank's son Ricky (Sid Owen) in the process.

However, in March 2003, Roy discovers that Pat knew about Ricky having an affair with Barry's wife Natalie (Lucy Speed) not long ago.

They develop a rapport, until Pat finds out that Andy has arranged for his employee Paul Trueman (Gary Beadle) to be killed in retribution for attempting to entrap him to the police.

Pat opts to remain in Walford when her granddaughter Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer) turns to her for help soon after, moving in with her four children.

Pat threatens to tell Ian the truth, and is hit by a car driven by Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) whilst trying to apprehend Steven.

When Ricky returns from Dubai, he reveals that he has lost all his money, so Pat explains that they will lose the house by the end of the week if a payment is not made.

In the build-up to Christmas 2011, Pat gets acquainted with Jake and Danny's cousin Michael (Steve John Shepherd), who is conveniently also Janine's boyfriend.

Pat is admitted to hospital, having suffered a pulmonary embolus, and the doctors run some tests, but she discharges herself secretly, telling Ricky she has been allowed to go.

Pat rings Simon to find out whether he can pay her the money, but is left horrified when he tells her his brother David slept with his wife.

Pat refuses all further palliative treatment, and returns to Walford to be with her loved ones, sharing one last drink with her family and friends in The Queen Vic.

As the two sit and reminisce about past memories, Peggy decides to commit suicide in order to prevent her family watching her deteriorate.

[8] After causing havoc Pat then disappeared; however, she was reintroduced later in the year, returning as a regular character, barmaid of The Queen Victoria public house.

"[10] The scenes showing the characters' first fight had to be cut in order to be broadcast before the 9pm watershed; they were reported as "powerful" and "set to be one of the most impressive episodes of all time".

Barbara Windsor told the Sunday Mirror: "The writer didn't want a namby- pamby cat fight between two silly girls.

[12] The actress revealed that she wanted to try other things, saying "I have enjoyed 25 and a half wonderful years in EastEnders creating the character of Pat but feel it's time to hang up her earrings.

An EastEnders insider told Digital Spy: "It's only right that as we say goodbye to the iconic Pat Evans we pay tribute to such a character with a wonderfully touching special theme tune.

"[20] In 2020, Sara Wallis and Ian Hyland from The Daily Mirror placed Pat fifth on their ranked list of the best EastEnders characters of all time, calling Pat a "Former beauty queen and prostitute whose character was as bold and attention-grabbing as her ear rings" and noting that she was "involved in many memorable slanging matches with Peggy including the classic pair of "You bitch!

[24] Pat was also the frequent target of jokes in Harry Hill's TV Burp, usually alluding to her former prostitution and alleged sexual promiscuity.

[citation needed] In the first episode of Series 3 of The Inbetweeners, Jay gets his ears pierced with large round earrings and is mocked by his friend Simon Cooper, who calls it the "Pat Butcher look".