EastEnders Why did Pat Butcher leave EastEnders? Pam St Clement’s life away from soap after exit Posted on 05/01/2026 by Franki EastEnders legend Pat Butcher has made an epic return to the BBC soap for the first time in nine years EastEnders has unveiled the dramatic comeback of Pat Butcher as Nigel Bates grapples with escalating dementia symptoms. As regular viewers of the BBC soap will be aware, Nigel (played by Paul Bradley) is dealing with a diagnosis of early-onset dementia, a key aspect of his return to the show for Christmas 2024. The debilitating condition leads to confusion and memory loss for Nigel, causing him to conceal his diagnosis and struggle with its progression. On Monday (December 22), the residents of Walford began to embrace the festive season as Nigel’s film was screened at the community centre. However, after overhearing his wife Julie (Karen Henthorn) and close friend Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) arguing about how best to manage his deteriorating dementia, he seeks refuge in The Queen Vic.
