EastEnders star Pam St Clements broke down in tears as she reminisced about her friendship with the late Barbara Windsor. 

The iconic soap star, 82, returned to Albert Square on Monday as she appeared in a documentary hosted by co-star Ross Kemp. 

Ross, known to fans in his role as Grant Mitchell, took EastEnders fans on a trip down memory lane for the documentary as he spoke to some of the soap’s most beloved cast members.  

One of which was Pam, who played iconic matriarch Pat Butcher until she was killed off in 2012, as she reminisced about her dramatic storylines – but it was when she started to talk about her on-screen love rivalry with Peggy Mitchell [Barbara] that she got choked up. 

Ross and Pam both became emotional as they watched an episode from 2016 where Pat returned as a ghost and promised to be by Peggy’s side as she pᴀssed away.  

‘I miss her, I mean, basically I miss her tremendously,’ Pam said of Barbara – who died in 2020 aged 83 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

EastEnders star Pam St Clements broke down in tears as she reminisced about her friendship with the late Barbara Windsor in the 40th anniversary documentary on Monday

Pam got choked up as she started to talk about her on-screen love rivalry with Peggy Mitchell, played by Barbara (Seen together in 2008)

Ross also had tears in his eyes as they spoke of Barbara, who had played his on-screen mother.

The exchange left viewers emotional also, as they took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: ‘Peggy’s final episode… eeehhh don’t do this to me!’;

‘Pam St Clement choking up remembering Barbara Windsor [crying emoji],’;

‘I already watched the documentary – it was fantastic. Discussing the first gay kiss and the reaction to it, Pam St Clement talking about her and Barbara Windsor’s friendship and that section where everyone cheered Anita Dobson going back into the Vic.. just amazing.’

EastEnders fans were left reeling as an iconic part of the soap was overhauled in a 40th anniversary twist – and many are convinced that they’ve rumbled the brutal death and epic return that will rock Walford this week. 

Monday marked the start of the show’s huge anniversary week. 

As viewers will know, there are going to be some deaths on the Square as part of the special – and some already think that they have figured out who is going to die.

At the start of the episode, the show’s intro played out with the usual visuals and theme tune. 

The iconic soap star, 82, returned to Albert Square on Monday as she appeared in a documentary hosted by co-star Ross Kemp

Ross and Pam both became emotional as they watched an episode from 2016 where Pat returned as a ghost and promised to be by Peggy’s side as she pᴀssed away

The exchange left viewers emotional also, as they took to X, formerly Twitter, to say: ‘Peggy’s final episode… eeehhh don’t do this to me!’

Ross also had tears in his eyes as they spoke of Barbara, who had played his on-screen mother (Seen are Grant, Peggy and Phil Mitchell)

However at the end, the River Thames turned red, which never usually happens. 

This indicates the ᴅᴇᴀᴅly consequences in Walford this week, signifying the bloodshed to come. 

Many think that the character set to die is Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). 

One wrote on X: ‘I don’t want Cindy to die this week but she’s been written into such a corner in this story so there’s no way back for her.’ 

Another fumed: ‘They better not kill of this adulterous queen. I want her to make her way round every bloke in Albert square and eventually s**g Max Branning.’ 

EastEnders fans know that Cindy has been desperate to find out who hit her over the head on Christmas Day.

Right at the end of Monday’s instalment, Cindy entered her house with a gun and quietly snuck in.

Monday marked the start of the show’s huge anniversary week

The episode ended with Cindy aiming a gun at a mysterious figure holding her missing locket 

The camera then panned in on her looking very shocked as she stared at a mysterious figure holding her stolen locket. 

Cindy shouted: ‘You!’ as she loaded her gun and pointed it at the person. 

Many are convinced that the person who is set to be identified could be Cindy’s daughter Cindy Jr, who was last seen on the show 10 years ago. 

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.