If you’re a fan of the UK’s top TV soap EastEnders shown on the BBC network then the news that Pat St Clement has announced that she is leaving Walford after more than 25-years will come as quite a big shock.

This wonderful actress has delivered some of the soaps best storylines with her large and colourful character and has admitted herself that leaving the cast of EastEnders will be similar to suffering a “bereavement.”

First appearing in the best British TV soap in 1986, Pat has transfixed viewers with her wonderful dangling earrings, bright eye-shadow and lipstick, she has remarried several times, done a stint behind bars, and had a very rocky relationship with her step-daughter Janine played by the talented actress Charlie Brooks.

The 69-year-old actress is one EastEnders longest running stars and said:

“I have enjoyed 25-and-a-half- wonderful years in EastEnders creating the character of Pat, but I feel it is time to hang-up her earrings.

“Leaving the EastEnders family will be akin to a bereavement, but I am looking forward to the other work and life opportunities that I will have the time to persue.”

It has not been disclosed how Pat will make her exit from Britain’s best loved soap at the end of the year, but as any great soap fan will know, there is only two ways to go out of EastEnders and that is sitting in the back of a black cab or in a hearse.

The executive producer of the show, Bryan Kirkwood said that Pat’s departure would be “fitting” for her much-loved character.