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The 2023 edition of Red Nose Day is here.

After weeks of fundraising efforts for Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry’s charity, Comic Relief, the annual telethon will be aired on BBC One.

Millions of viewers tune in each year to see celebrities introduce skits filmed especially for the event by stars of the screen.

Below is everything you need to know about Red Nose Day 2023.

Here’s what you need to know.

When is Red Nose Day?

This year’s Red Nose Day wil air on BBC One and BBC Two on Friday (17 March).

The event is celebrating it 38th year, hacing been launched in 1985. Speaking about the event, Henry said: “The spirit of Red Nose Day is for everyone to get involved and to get the vibe of helping someone else that they don’t know, it’s always been that and what could be better?”

“I’ve been...

Forget the Countdown teapot or the Pointless Trophy. The most coveted prize on UK television has four wheels, an extendable handle and a quiff.

Since October 2019, Richard Osman’s House of Games has occasionally offered a wheelie suitcase among its selection of kitsch branded prizes. For context – whichever celebrity contestant wins that day’s episode has a choice of five rewards decorated with the face of host and creator Richard Osman. The prizes range from the glamorous (a decanter) to the practical (gardening gloves) to the playful (a dartboard) to the esoteric.

The greatest of these, and by far the most popular, is the wheelie suitcase. In the 430 or so episodes since its first appearance in October 2019, the luggage has been chosen by celebrity contestants 60 times out of a possible 86*. In other words, the baggage reclaim at Edinburgh airport around the time of the Fringe Festival is chock-a-block with them.

1984: The final episode of Edge of Night aired on ABC."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: Daytime soap opera A Flame in the Wind premiered on ABC. Producer Joseph Hardy, whose creative efforts helped turn Love of Life into one of the top-ranking daytime dramas, changed things up for the new series.

"With most new serials it takes months to build up audience awareness," Hardy explained at the time. "The story usually doesn’t begin unfolding until long after each of the characters has been introduced. I...

1980: Edge of Night's Raven kidnapped Jamey.

1992: Y&R's Sheila pulled a gun on Lauren.

1994: Gh's Luke found out Laura was having a baby girl.

1995: As the World Turns celebrated 10,000 episodes."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: On Another World, Bill (Joseph Gallison) accused Missy (Carol Roux) of not liking him.

1966: On Peyton Place, Ann agreed to let Allison help out in the therapy room.

1984: The final episode of The Edge of Night aired on ABC."History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1964: Daytime soap opera A Flame in the Wind premiered on ABC. Producer Joseph Hardy, whose creative efforts helped turn Love of Life into one of the top-ranking daytime dramas, changed things up for the new series.

"With most new serials it takes months to build up audience awareness," Hardy explained at the time. "The story usually doesn’t begin unfolding until long after each of the characters has been introduced. I deliberately shortened this traditional build-up period with new serials by concentrating...

Pam St. Clement went ''ballistic'' at a railway worker who joked that he thought she was dead. The former 'EastEnders' actress reportedly told the Chiltern Railways employee to ''f**k off'' after he jokingly claimed he thought she was dead because her character Pat Butcher was killed off by bosses of the BBC One soap in 2012. He said: ''Pat Butcher? I thought you were dead.'' The 73-year-old actress was apparently in no mood for jokes as she's said to have looked ''disgusted'' at the joke and started shouting at the man, who is believed to be a big fan of both her and...

Pam St. Clement gave all of her 'EastEnders' character Pat Butcher's trademark earrings to charity. The 72-year-old actress is famous for playing the Walford stalwart in the BBC One soap and although she was gifted several pairs of earrings when left the show in 2012 Pam didn't keep any of them because she wanted to use the oversized jewellery to raise money for good causes. Speaking about Pat's earrings, she explained: ''They are the property of the BBC costume department, so they had most of them and they need them for archive as well. But they said to me when I...

A special EastEnders-themed edition of The Graham Norton Show is to air next week, as part of the show's 30th anniversary.

Norton will be joined by a lineup of the show's best-known stars, including June Brown, Pam St Clement, Adam Woodyatt, Letitia Dean, Kellie Bright, John Altman, Jessie Wallace, Shane Richie, Danny Dyer and newest signing Richard Blackwood.

Watch three clips from the special Graham Norton Show below:

Graham asks Adam Woodyatt, Letitia Dean, Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer if they know who killed Lucy Beale. They assure him they don't, so they ask Lucy Beale herself.

Graham introduces Adam Woodyatt, Letitia Dean, Kellie Bright and Danny Dyer to their very own miniature dolls from an EastEnders model village in Torquay.

Graham gets a lesson in how to receive an EastEnders slap from Pam St Clement and he practices his technique with Danny Dyer, Shane Richie and a surprise...

Zoe Ball is to present a live ''aftermath'' show from the 'EastEnders' set after Lucy Beale's killer is revealed. The 'Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two' host will be joined by 'Newsround' anchor Ore Oduba and former 'EastEnders' actor Joe Swash on Albert Square following the dramatic live episode on February 20, when Lucy's killer is set to be unveiled. In addition to Zoe's live show, beloved 'EastEnders' stars including June Brown (Dot Cotton), Pam St. Clement (Pat Butcher), Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) and Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) are to appear on a special edition of 'The Graham Norton Show' on the...

Barbara Windsor and Pam St. Clement have joined 'EastEnders: Back to Ours'. The legendary actresses, who played love rivals Peggy Mitchell and Pat Butcher on the BBC One soap, will join each other on the sofa as they take a walk down memory lane for the new online series. Barbara said: ''I had such great fun filming this with Pam. At times we completely forgot we were being filmed and we got terribly carried away, in fact we got quite outrageous! It was such a lovely afternoon, we giggled for hours in fact we didn't want it to finish.'' The show will give...

The lovable East Anglian rogue returns for another go-around in Acorn Media’s latest DVD release: Lovejoy series 4. Starring Deadwood’s Ian McShane, the series is centered around a slippery antiques dealer who occupies a moral grey zone and struggles to stay on the right side of the law.

As ever, Lovejoy is closely followed by his loyal sidekicks: the dim-witted Eric, and the “barker” Tinker Dill. Also returning this series is Lovejoy’s nemesis, Charlie Gimbert (Malcolm Tierney). Gimbert is to Lovejoy as that French chap was to Indiana Jones. Let’s just say that when grown men are fighting over antiques, there’s no such such thing as foul play!

The artefacts in this show are rather more exciting than the knick-knacks people wheel out at the Antiques Roadshow. In season 4, Lovejoy gets his hands on a commode that reportedly once belonged to Napoleon. He discovers a Billiards...

Barbara Windsor is planning a return to 'EastEnders' for the show's 30th anniversary. The iconic British actress is famed for playing Peggy Mitchell in the BBC One soap and hinted she and co-star Pam St. Clement - who starred as Pat Butcher - are both planning to return to Albert Square in 2015 to celebrate the show's birthday. She told Bang Showbiz: ''Yeah, of course! I'll be right in there, won't I! It'll be lovely to see everyone, and I spoke to Pam yesterday, Pam St. Clement, and she's going and we're going to do a little something.'' The appearance will follow an...

Children in Need has raised £32,620,469 overnight (November 14) - pipping last year's total of just over £31 million.

The annual BBC charity telethon, which started in 1980, featured the much-anticipated reunion of S Club 7, a first look at Doctor Who's Christmas special, Bruce Forsyth's Strictly Come Dancing return and One Direction performing in EastEnders' Albert Square.

We made a Record-breaking £32,620,469!!!!! Thank You, from Pudsey! #ChildrenInNeed

— BBC Children in Need (@BBCCiN) November 15, 2014

The fundraiser was hosted by Sir Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, Nick Grimshaw, Fearne Cotton and Rochelle Humes live from the BBC's Elstree Centre in Hertfordshire.

The cast of EastEnders kicked off this year's Children in Need with a tribute to the musical Grease.

Susan Boyle and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini also performed during the event, as did Boyzone and The Script.

Meanwhile, a new Tom and Jerry cartoon saw the famous cat and mouse meet The Apprentice's Lord Alan Sugar,...

Ian Beale is to be haunted by ghosts of 'Eastenders' past for 'Children in Need'. The Watford businessman - played by Adam Woodyatt - will be reunited with several spooky familiar faces in a forthcoming one-off mini-episode which will be broadcast as part of the BBC charity telethon. The 46-year-old actor explains: ''After being knocked unconscious Ian finds himself taken back in time and he comes into contact with Pat, Cindy, Kathy and Lucy in various iconic places around The Square,'' Gillian Taylforth, Michelle Collins, Pam St Clement and Hetti Bywater will assume their characters once again in the spooky situation, with Adam...

The BBC has released a new image of Tom & Jerry with the Strictly Come Dancing judges ahead of their brand new episode, to air on Children in Need later this month.

The duo will return to screens as part of the annual fundraiser, which will be shown live on the BBC next Friday (November 14).

Our judges have never looked so animated! See them in a Tom & Jerry #Cin special. 14th Nov @BBCOne. That's all folks! pic.twitter.com/pMQz8QHnUH

— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) November 4, 2014

They will be joined by Sir Bruce Forsyth, who is making a special return to the dance floor as four young ballroom champions take part in a competition alongside the Strictly professionals.

Meanwhile, the stars of EastEnders past and present will make appearances as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is visited by ghosts from his life, including mum Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth), ex-wife Cindy (Michelle Collins) and...

Phillip Schofield jokingly stormed off the set of This Morning, after co-host Holly Willoughby claimed that he looked like former EastEnders actress Pam St Clement.

Willoughby was left to present a section of the show alone when Schofield mocked offence to her cheeky comments.

Schofield had previously revealed his defined cheekbones on the show earlier in the morning, prompting one viewer to add make-up to his face on a picture that they sent in.

"You look a bit like Pam St Clement," Willoughby exclaimed.

"Well you can do the rest yourself!" an open-mouthed Schofield said before walking out of the show's 'Hub'.

"Oh goodness me.... I'm in trouble!" Willoughby joked.

Willoughby is due to take maternity leave from the daytime show later this month.

Christine Bleakley and Emma Willis have both been rumoured to stand in for her when a new series of the show begins in September.

Francine Lewis impersonates 'EastEnders' stalwart Pat Butcher when she doesn't want sex. The 'Britain's Got Talent' impressionist takes off the BBC One soap's former hard-nosed matriarch - who was portrayed by Pam St. Clement for 26 years until her departure last year - when she is not feeling frisky, but impersonates brunette beauty Cheryl Cole when she is keen for some action in the bedroom. She said: ''I can be quite raunchy and being an impressionist definitely helps -- when I want sex, I'm Cheryl Cole or Marilyn Monroe. ''But it works both ways -- when I don't want it, I'm...

Francine Lewis impersonates 'EastEnders' stalwart Pat Butcher when she doesn't want sex. The 'Britain's Got Talent' impressionist takes off the BBC One soap's former hard-nosed matriarch - who was portrayed by Pam St. Clement for 26 years until her departure last year - when she is not feeling frisky, but impersonates brunette beauty Cheryl Cole when she is keen for some action in the bedroom. She said: ''I can be quite raunchy and being an impressionist definitely helps -- when I want sex, I'm Cheryl Cole or Marilyn Monroe. ''But it works both ways -- when I don't want it, I'm...

Michael French is returning to 'EastEnders'. The 50-year-old actor will reprise his role as bad boy lothario David Wicks in September, 17 years after his official departure from Albert Square. Michael - who first played David between 1993 and 1996 and returned for a brief two-week stint last year when his on-screen mother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) was dying of cancer - has been promised ''major'' storylines on his return. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''David is a massive character and was always hugely popular with fans. Michael's return to the soap is a huge coup for the BBC, and...

Michael French is returning to 'EastEnders'. The 50-year-old actor will reprise his role as bad boy lothario David Wicks in September, 17 years after his official departure from Albert Square. Michael - who first played David between 1993 and 1996 and returned for a brief two-week stint last year when his on-screen mother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) was dying of cancer - has been promised ''major'' storylines on his return. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''David is a massive character and was always hugely popular with fans. Michael's return to the soap is a huge coup for the BBC, and...

Michael French is returning to 'EastEnders'. The 50-year-old actor will reprise his role as bad boy lothario David Wicks in September, 17 years after his official departure from Albert Square. Michael - who first played David between 1993 and 1996 and returned for a brief two-week stint last year when his on-screen mother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement) was dying of cancer - has been promised ''major'' storylines on his return. A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''David is a massive character and was always hugely popular with fans. Michael's return to the soap is a huge coup for the BBC, and...

Poirot

Kieran Kinsella

Acorn Media have released numerous Agatha Christie tales on DVD but this month they are upping the ante by releasing a box set that is like manna from Heaven for fans of Britain’s favorite mystery writer. Their six disc, 16 hour long, January 29 release contains some of the best loved stories involving both Marple and Poirot. Two super sleuths squeezed into one novel sized box.

The six Poirot tales include my personal favorite – The ABC Murders, and Christie’s best loved tale – Murder on the Orient Express. I had never seen Four and Twenty Blackbirds or The Mysterious Affair at Styles before but both were very good. The former revolved around the double murder of two elderly brothers while the latter involved the murder of an early 20th century “cougar” who may or may not have been “done in” by her toy boy. Hercule Poirot’s Christmas...

EastEnders star Laila Morse has admitted that she was "bloody petrified" with nerves when she first joined the soap. The actress has been playing the role of Mo Harris since 2000 and opens up about Albert Square life in her new autobiography Just A Mo, which is being serialised in The Mirror this week. Reflecting on her early days at EastEnders, Morse wrote: "My first scene was with Pam St Clement, who played Pat Butcher, but my stomach was flipping over like a live kipper and it passed in a haze. A couple of weeks later, a TV critic said I acted like a lump of cardboard. I daresay he was right! I was bloody petrified. "It was three years before I started to feel comfortable on set. But I made a load of new friends - Derek Martin, Gillian Wright, Laurie Brett, Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace. "June (more)...

Katherine Kelly has revealed that her former Coronation Street co-stars have already been asking her to return. The actress, whose character Becky McDonald only left Weatherfield in January, admitted that she does "miss" the show.

> Katherine Kelly on Corrie exit: "I don't regret leaving at all" "When I left the show I made it clear that I wanted the door to remain open so I'd be able to return," she told The Mirror. "They're always asking me to go back and I think that, one day, I will. I have so many happy memories from working on the Street and I do miss those on the show." The 32-year-old has also today (May 31) been confirmed for a role on This Morning, following in the footsteps of EastEnders legend Pam St Clement. From Monday, June 11, Kelly will front a four-part weekly segment in (more)...

The winners of this years British Soap Awards 2012 have been announced. The ceremony held on Saturday night (28th April) was hosted by Phillip Schofield and the usual war between Eastenders and Coronation Street ended in a tie this year with both soaps taking home seven awards.

However, Eastenders got the biggest gong as it was named Best Soap again. Pam St Clement (Pat) was given the Lifetime Achievement Award and Eastenders writer Simon Ashdown got the Special Achievement Award.

The full list can be found below, the winners are highlighted red. The ceremony can be seen in full on ITV1 on Wednesday 2nd May.

Sexiest Female (Last year’s winner was Michelle Keegan, Coronation Street)

Coronation Street: Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre)

EastEnders: Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning)

EastEnders: Preeya Kalidas (Amira Masood)

Hollyoaks: Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen)

Sexiest Male (Last year’s winner was Scott Maslen, EastEnders...

Former EastEnders star Pam St Clement has been revealed as This Morning's new animal expert. The veteran soap star will be giving viewers tips on how to tend to animals. She will first appear on the show on Tuesday, March 13 with a segment about rehousing problem pets. This Morning exec Karl Newton said: "I cried when Pam left Eastenders but now I'm so excited that she'll be joining us at This Morning. Pam's passion for animal welfare is unrivalled and her work with animal charities really makes a difference. We're thrilled to announce Pam as our new animal expert."

St Clement said: "I'm thrilled to be part of such a big and award-winning show like This Morning. It's a wonderful opportunity to present animal items like I have in the past and to spread my presenting (more)...

Pam St. Clement has landed a presenting role on 'This Morning'. The former 'EastEnders' star - whose alter-ego Pat Evans died at the beginning of the year - has joined the ITV1 morning show to give viewers tips on how to tend to animals. Pam - who will have her own slot but will also appear alongside main hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield - told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''I'm excited to start a role I feel so passionate about.'' Executive producer Karl Newton added: ''Pam's passion for animal welfare is unrivalled and her charity work makes a difference. She will deal...

EastEnders star Jamie Foreman has promised that there is an "interesting new direction" ahead for his villainous character Derek Branning. The actor, who has been appearing in the role since November, explained that he wants to keep challenging himself by exploring different sides of Derek's personality. Writing in his new autobiography Gangsters, Guns and Me - which is being serialised in The Mirror this week - Foreman commented: "We hit the ground running to bring Derek to the Square and Pam St Clement was phenomenal. "In one scene, she established my character more easily than I could have done in four episodes. To see Pat, who's never been frightened of anyone, running scared of this man showed everything about my character in a moment." "We've got plans to take Derek off in an interesting new direction, which (more)...

Former EastEnders actor Martin Kemp has said that Pam St Clement's decision to leave the soap was the "right" thing to do. Kemp starred opposite St Clement as Steve Owen between 1998 and 2002, and he believes that the veteran actress will now be able to "spread her wings" following her departure. Pam St Clement bowed out of EastEnders as Pat Butcher on New Year's Day after first appearing in the soap in 1986. Kemp told Bang Showbiz: "I still watch EastEnders from time to time. I did quite a few scenes with Pam, I remember we spent three or four days locked in a cellar once so we had quite some scenes. She's a great actress, I'm sure she'll go on to other things. "I think she's making the right move, it's (more)...

Martin Kemp thinks Pam St. Clement's decision to quit 'EastEnders' was the right one. The 50-year-old actor has fond memories of the veteran actress - who played Pat Butcher in the BBC One soap - after co-starring with her from 1998 to 2002, but believes it is time for her to "spread her wings" after bowing out of the role during the festive season. He exclusively told Bang Showbiz: "I still watch 'EastEnders' from time to time. I did quite a few scenes with Pam, I remember we spent three or four days locked in a cellar once so we had...

Nick Berry made a shock return to 'EastEnders' last night (13.01.11). The 48-year-old star's character Simon 'Wicksy' Wicks made a surprise reappearance after 22 years away from Albert Square to say goodbye to his mother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement), who died on New Year's Day (31.12.11). Last night's episode - which had been extended to 40 minutes - saw the residents of Walford turn out for Pat's funeral and fans had been advised to tune in after the credits for a surprise. The 15 second cameo - which was shot on Thursday (12.01.11) and still being edited hours before the show began...

EastEnders actress Lindsey Coulson has paid tribute to former co-star Pam St Clement, admitting that her departure is a "real loss" to the show. St Clement filmed her final EastEnders scenes last year and fans saw her character Pat Evans make an emotional exit on New Year's Day, when the Albert Square matriarch passed away from cancer. Coulson, who plays Carol Jackson, today told This Morning that filming Pat's death and funeral episodes had been an emotional experience. "They were really difficult scenes to play, because we didn't want Pam to leave," Coulson explained. "So apart from not wanting to lose the wonderful character of Pat, we were mourning the loss of Pam. "You don't see everybody all the time [at EastEnders] at all, and sometimes you can go for months without seeing somebody. And (more)...

EastEnders bosses will air a special bonus tribute to Walford legend Pat Evans at the end of her funeral episode, Digital Spy can confirm. Pat is laid to rest in Friday evening's (January 13) edition of the soap, which will run for the extended time of 40 minutes. Show chiefs have now teased that the episode will end with an "extra special treat" paying tribute to Pat (Pam St Clement). EastEnders fans are being urged to stay tuned in until the closing credits roll to see the tribute. An EastEnders insider commented: "Pat is EastEnders - she was the heart and soul of (more)...

Nick Berry made a shock return to 'EastEnders' last night (13.01.11). The 48-year-old star's character Simon 'Wicksy' Wicks made a surprise reappearance after 22 years away from Albert Square to say goodbye to his mother Pat Evans (Pam St. Clement), who died on New Year's Day (31.12.11). Last night's episode - which had been extended to 40 minutes - saw the residents of Walford turn out for Pat's funeral and fans had been advised to tune in after the credits for a surprise. The 15 second cameo - which was shot on Thursday (12.01.11) and still being edited hours before the show began...

EastEnders legend Pam St Clement has revealed that she was "moved" by the BBC's Farewell Pat tribute. The 30-minute special was screened by BBC One on Monday evening - a day after viewers had watched the actress's iconic character Pat Evans pass away from cancer. The programme took a look back at some of Pat's best moments and included behind-the-scenes access. Speaking on Daybreak this morning, St Clement confirmed that she watched her final EastEnders episode with family and friends on New Year's Day - before tuning in for the tribute the following evening. St Clement explained: "I wasn't going to watch [the final episode] with anybody - I was going to record it and then watch it in a darkened room somewhere, where I could be terribly critical and jump about saying, 'Stupid woman - why did you play it like (more)...

EastEnders legend Pam St Clement has admitted that she did not want her character Pat Evans to be killed off - but thought her final episode was "fantastic". Fans of the soap watched Pat die on New Year's Day after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her family and friends were seen gathering to say their goodbyes in an extended 70-minute edition of the show. In real life, meanwhile, St Clement announced her decision to leave EastEnders in July 2011, confirming that she wished to pursue "other work and life opportunities". Speaking on This Morning today, St Clement said of her exit storyline: "To be honest with you, I didn't want the character to die. Not just because I was being a typical actor and wanted a comfort zone and safety net to fall back on in case. But also because I felt that a particular generation of characters (more)...

Pam St Clement has explained that her fear of boring viewers was a factor in leaving EastEnders. Her alter ego Pat Evans, who has resided in Albert Square since 1986, passed away last night in a special 70-minute episode. St Clement told The Mirror: "As an actor I am a great believer in leaving the stage while they still want more. "My greatest fear is that you will bore the audience. And once that thought has (more)...

EastEnders topped the New Year's Day ratings last night for Pam St Clement's final episode. Pat Evans's final day on the Square attracted 9.76m (36%) between 7pm and 8.10pm, while 736k (6.6%) sought out the landmark episode at the unusual time of 11.20pm on BBC Three. Following EastEnders, the second series of Sherlock kicked off with an impressive 8.75m (30.9%), after which a new Absolutely Fabulous special capped a fruitful night for BBC One with 7.12m (28.3%) at 9.40pm. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince appealed to just 3.45m (12.5%) for ITV1 (+1: 522k/2%), making the screening by far the least-watched terrestrial premiere of the franchise. BBC Two's Great Barrier Reef interested 3.02m (10.6%) in the 8pm hour, before the channel's audience dropped (more)...

Cheryl Cole was among the celebrities who paid tribute to EastEnders legend Pat Evans tonight (January 1) as her emotional final scenes aired. Pat, played by Pam St Clement, passed away in an extended New Year's Day episode following her recent diagnosis of terminal cancer. Friends and family, including her son David (Michael French), gathered to say their goodbyes during her final moments. In real life, meanwhile, St Clement has decided to bow out from EastEnders after 25 and a half years to pursue other work and life opportunities. Writing on Twitter after the episode aired, Cole commented: "Please tell me I'm not the only person to have shed a tear at #Eastenders?? Is there something wrong with me..? #Goodbyepat #endofanearring." Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand also tuned in, telling his online followers: "Watching (more)...

'EastEnders' legend Pat Evans is getting her own theme song when she departs the soap on New Year's Day (01.01.12). The character - who has been played by Pam St Clement since 1986 - dies in tragic scenes to be screened tomorrow in a special 70-minute episode after being diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this week. To mark the Walford battleaxe's passing, Simon May - who composed the BBC One show's iconic theme - has written a new piece of music entitled 'Pat's Theme' which will play over the closing credits. A series source told Digital Spy: "It's only right that we pay...

Pat Evans's final EastEnders episode will feature a new version of the soap's theme tune as a tribute to the much-loved character, Digital Spy can confirm. Simon May, who composed the original EastEnders theme in 1984, has reworked the tune to create 'Pat's Theme' - which will play out at the end of the Albert Square legend's last episode. EastEnders bids a heartbreaking farewell to Pat on New Year's Day following her recent diagnosis of terminal cancer. In real life, meanwhile, Pam St Clement has decided to bow out from EastEnders to pursue other work and life opportunities. EastEnders fans will already be familiar with the show's long-standing alternative tune 'Julia's Theme', which traditionally airs at the end of episodes featuring intense emotion or drama. Peggy Mitchell, played (more)...

Pam St Clement has complimented BBC bosses on the exit storyline for her character Pat Evans. The actress, whose last scenes air on New Year's Day, said that her character's death is testament to her 25 years on Albert Square. She told The Sun: "They didn't just want me to say ta-ta and get on the No 30 bus because that wouldn't do me justice. "They wanted something dramatic, a fitting tribute to the character." Referring to the departures of Barbara Windsor (Peggy (more)...

Pam St Clement was "too exhausted" to cry when she filmed her 'EastEnders' exit scenes. The 69-year-old actress - who played Walford matriarch Pat Butcher in the BBC One soap for 25 years before bowing out in Sunday's (25.12.11) Christmas Special - explained she reserved her tears for when the episode was aired and she now plans to go into "mourning". She said: "I didn't cry because for me it isn't the end. My contribution to the show will not have ended until my last scenes are transmitted. It's like grieving. I haven't had the death so I can't mourn yet. Then...

Departing cast member Pam St Clement has criticised EastEnders for relying too heavily on violence and adultery. The Pat Evans actress, who will bow out of the show during the New Year's Day episode, believes that producers portray crime as "too easy and commonplace" in the BBC One soap. St Clement explained to The Mirror: "It is not real life - drama is distilled life. We don't have any of the boring bits, like going to the loo and doing the ironing. "But it is meant to reflect society. Sometimes it reflects only one bit of society and some of the more positive sides aren't reflected enough, which saddens me. I am not too sure that one little area of London has quite so much violence and adultery." St Clement continued: "Maybe in the search to be ever more interesting we are always pinning stories on things that are ever...

'EastEnders' legend Pat Evans is getting her own theme song when she departs the soap on New Year's Day (01.01.12). The character - who has been played by Pam St Clement since 1986 - dies in tragic scenes to be screened tomorrow in a special 70-minute episode after being diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this week. To mark the Walford battleaxe's passing, Simon May - who composed the BBC One show's iconic theme - has written a new piece of music entitled 'Pat's Theme' which will play over the closing credits. A series source told Digital Spy: "It's only right that we pay...

Pam St Clement says her character Pat Evans' death in 'EastEnders' is going to be a very "powerful" moment in the history of the soap. The actress is leaving the series after playing the Walford battleaxe for 25 years and although it is as yet unknown how she will pass away, Pam insists when she goes it will have a profound effect on viewers. She said: "The lead-up to the final hour is very powerful indeed - and I think that final hour is going to be fairly special, actually. "It's something quite brave for 'EastEnders'. It's intensive, it's very concentrated, and sometimes...

Pam St Clement was "too exhausted" to cry when she filmed her 'EastEnders' exit scenes. The 69-year-old actress - who played Walford matriarch Pat Butcher in the BBC One soap for 25 years before bowing out in Sunday's (25.12.11) Christmas Special - explained she reserved her tears for when the episode was aired and she now plans to go into "mourning". She said: "I didn't cry because for me it isn't the end. My contribution to the show will not have ended until my last scenes are transmitted. It's like grieving. I haven't had the death so I can't mourn yet. Then...

A trailer for Pat Evans's (Pam St Clement) exit from EastEnders has been unveiled. The 30-second clip, which begins with the tagline "The end of a year, the end of an era", teases the legendary character's final moments and the return of her son David Wicks (Michael French) on New Year's Day. An end to the long-running hostility between Pat and Janine (Charlie Brooks) is also hinted at, as the Albert Square villain finally realises the seriousness of her stepmother's condition. Images released this week of Pat's departure revealed that she will also be confronted by old enemy Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman) on her deathbed, reigniting David's (more)...

EastEnders' Michael Moon goes all-out to give downbeat Janine Butcher a merry Christmas this weekend as he prepares a romantic surprise for her at Butcher's Joints. Janine (Charlie Brooks) finds herself rejected by her family in the coming days as the strict terms of her loan to Pat lead to a backlash. When Pat (Pam St Clement) makes it clear that she isn't welcome at the Butchers' Christmas lunch, Janine is sad to be frozen out by her loved ones. Feeling like an outcast, Janine puts on a brave face on Christmas Day as she tells Michael (Steve John Shepherd) that she isn't a fan of the festive season anyway. However, she's soon thrilled when Michael opens the door to Butcher's Joints and reveals fairy lights, a decorated Christmas tree, presents and champagne.

Pictured: Pat bans Janine from the Butchers' Christmas (more)...

EastEnders' Pat Evans tries to warn Mandy to stay away from Ricky in tonight's episode of the soap. When Ricky (Sid Owen) learns that Mandy is still planning to marry Ian today, he finally cracks and tells Pat that he's done a terrible thing by cheating on Bianca (Patsy Palmer). Pat (Pam St Clement) advises Ricky to keep quiet over his infidelity rather than telling Bianca the truth, before she secretly heads over to the Beale household to have it out with Mandy (Nicola Stapleton). (more)...