Peggy’s final scenes saw Ross Kemp reprise his role as her son Grant Mitchell, but what we weren’t expecting was the return of another ‘EastEnders’ legend, when Pat Butcher made an appearance.
The beloved character, played by Pam St.Clement, came back as a vision to the former Queen Vic landlady in her final scenes.
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Peggy (Barbara Windsor) and Pat (Pam St.Clement)
BBC
Now the actress, whose character was killed off from the soap in 2011, has admitted the scenes were ‘difficult’ to film.
Speaking about her return in the iPlayer documentary ‘Peggy Mitchell: Last Orders’, Pam explained: “I said, ‘oh, how can I [come back], I’m dead, I couldn’t possibly come back’
“Well, the approach is to say, right, I am appearing. Am I appearing as an ‘independent’ Pat? Am I a figment of Peggy’s imagination, in terms of she’s seeing what she would like to see? So she’s getting affirmation?
“In other words, she’s not getting Pat – she’s getting her idea of what she wants. That was quite a difficult one, I had to speak to Michael Owen Morris, the director, about that.”
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BBC
Barbara Windsor added that she was pleased to have Pam St. Clement back to help her say goodbye.
“[Pam] was lovely, she said, ‘oh it would be my honour’, she was very gracious and came back,” she said.
Viewers will now see the Mitchell family struggle to cope in the wake of Peggy’s death, and one final member of the clan, Sam, will arrive to say farewell.
Living legend Barbara Windsor has made numerous visits to Albert Square since officially leaving. She'll be back for live week, and fingers crossed there'll be a chance for the Queen Vic's most memorable landlady to yell that line again: "Get outta ma pub!" (credit:BBC )
Chrissie Watts (Tracey Ann Oberman, 2004-05)(04 of12)
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Linda Carter (Kellie Bright, 2014-Present)(06 of12)
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Cora Cross (Ann Mitchell, 2011-Present)(08 of12)
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Shirley Carter (Linda Henry, 2006-Present)(10 of12)
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If she's good enough for ummm, Phil Mitchell, then she's good enough for us. (credit:BBC )
Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace, 2000-04, 2005, 2010-Present)(11 of12)
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Kat's the only Slater sister who's stuck around following the family's 2000 arrival. (credit:BBC )
Tracey (Jane Slaughter, 1985-Present)(12 of12)
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Jane is the longest-serving member of the cast, y'know. Bravo to Tracey for managing not to chip in during all those rows... (credit:BBC )