Walford's Pat St Clement meets her East End

EASTENDERS veteran Pam St Clement is to bow out of Albert Square, more than a quarter of a century after making her debut as no-nonsense Pat.

The actress, 69, one of the longest serving stars of the show, will leave Walford later this year. St Clement said she had other things she wanted to do but said leaving the soap would be like a bereavement.

During her colourful years in the show, Pat remarried several times, has gone to prison and enjoyed affairs with Walford characters such as infamous lothario Den Watts (Leslie Grantham). St Clement joined the BBC One show in 1986 - a year after it launched - and became noted for her dangly earrings and brassy bleached hairdo.

St Clement said: "I have enjoyed 25 wonderful years in EastEnders creating the character of Pat but feel it's time to hang up her earrings. Leaving the East- Enders 'family' will be akin to a bereavement. But I'm looking forward to the other work and life opportunities that I will have the time to pursue."

Viewers have seen Pat marry Frank Butcher in 1989 and her fourth husband, Roy Evans, in 1996. Her most famous scenes have been moments of high drama, often involving slaps. In one memorable scene she and Peggy Butcher (Barbara Windsor) exchanged blows amid cries of "you bitch" and "you cow". Pat has also had a stint as the Queen Vic pub's landlady, survived a heart attack, and been imprisoned for a hit-and-run.

The BBC would not say how she will leave the show. She is second only to Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale, as the longest-serving cast member.