Patricia Ruth "Pat" Sugden (also Harker and Merrick) is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by actresses Lynn Dalby in 1972 and 1974.

Pat's main stories are her marriages to violent drunk, Tom Merrick (Dave Hill) and later Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby).

Weir later revealed that her decision came from a dispute with producers over the inclusion of her and Hornby's son playing the role of Robert.

Producers decided to kill Pat off in a car accident story and she made her final appearance during the episode broadcast on 26 August 1986.

Pat easily settles into farm life and contributes by taking over control of Sam Pearson's (Toke Townley) vegetable garden.

He added that Tom "was a lousy husband, a drunk, openly violent towards Pat and jealous of Jack's return to the village.

Unlike the Skilbecks, Pat and Jack would be bored with a tranquil life and "enjoy the stimulation of pitting their wits against each other.

"[1] Writers continued to give Pat marriage issues and Jack has an affair with Karen Moore (Annie Hulley).

Weir told Cozens that portraying the affair was not challenging and her rapport with Hornby allowed them to perform better during filming.

Hornby told Maureen Cozens from Sunday Sun that "they've written out any scenes of Pat driving the tractor or dipping the sheep - she used to do quite heavy stuff, which Helen can't at the moment.

Producers decided to write the pregnancy into Pat's storyline and wanted them to include their new-born child in the Emmerdale Farm cast.

[9] Hornby told Syd Gillingham from the Derby Telegraph that he and Weir were apprehensive of accepting the producers offer because their characters could have later been written out.

Pat takes her sister, Janie Blakey (Lesley Duff) to the train station and on her way back she is killed in a crash.

[10][9] The crash scenes occurred following Pat using her Ford Fiesta vehicle and over-taking a milk lorry, then swerving to avoid a flock of sheep.

An Emmerdale publicist confirmed that it was Weir's decision to leave the role, adding that "obviously Pat Sugden is going to be sadly missed by all the viewers.

[8] In September 1980, Ruth, now calling herself Pat, returns to Beckindale with Jackie and Sandie to stay with her aunt Elsie after she separates from Tom.

Seth Armstrong discovers Tom's schemes and orders him to leave Beckindale or he will reveal his role in the arson.

The Sunday Sun's Maureen Cozens praised Jack's affair storyline, stating that "the scenes provided some of the best, most challenging acting for the two of them.