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The End of an Earring
In January 2012, one of EastEnders' longest-serving and best-loved characters breathed her last when Pat Butcher succumbed to cancer. Her departure from the show gave actress Pam St Clement time to reflect, not only on almost 26 years playing a role that she loved, but also on her whole life.
Pam's mother died when she was a baby, leaving her with a father whose life didn't really have space for a child. What followed was an itinerant childhood, with various stepmothers and foster families, before an advertisement in The Lady took 11-year-old Pamela to the farm in Devon that was to become her true home, with the 'aunts' who became her surrogate parents. Time on the farm at Dartmoor, where she discovered her love of animals, alternated with life at The Warren boarding school in West Sussex, where she discovered her passion for acting.
On leaving school, Pam was unsure of what direction to take but gradually realised that acting was what she wanted to do with her life. So, in 1966, Pam took up a place at drama school. Pam settled in London and worked on stage and television throughout the sixties and seventies, before her first appearance on EastEnders in 1986 and the offer of a permanent role a few months later.
This memoir is far more than simply an actor's tale. Quite apart from her fascinating and unique childhood, Pam also recalls her involvement in the women's movement of the 1970s, her lifelong love of animals and the worries about her weight that have dogged her since her teenage years. It is also a tribute to Pat Butcher, for whom Pam retains a huge affection.
This incredibly warm memoir reveals the woman behind the popular EastEnders' character, a woman who, apart perhaps from her earrings, couldn't be more different from Pat.
Pam's mother died when she was a baby, leaving her with a father whose life didn't really have space for a child. What followed was an itinerant childhood, with various stepmothers and foster families, before an advertisement in The Lady took 11-year-old Pamela to the farm in Devon that was to become her true home, with the 'aunts' who became her surrogate parents. Time on the farm at Dartmoor, where she discovered her love of animals, alternated with life at The Warren boarding school in West Sussex, where she discovered her passion for acting.
On leaving school, Pam was unsure of what direction to take but gradually realised that acting was what she wanted to do with her life. So, in 1966, Pam took up a place at drama school. Pam settled in London and worked on stage and television throughout the sixties and seventies, before her first appearance on EastEnders in 1986 and the offer of a permanent role a few months later.
This memoir is far more than simply an actor's tale. Quite apart from her fascinating and unique childhood, Pam also recalls her involvement in the women's movement of the 1970s, her lifelong love of animals and the worries about her weight that have dogged her since her teenage years. It is also a tribute to Pat Butcher, for whom Pam retains a huge affection.
This incredibly warm memoir reveals the woman behind the popular EastEnders' character, a woman who, apart perhaps from her earrings, couldn't be more different from Pat.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
18 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 26, 2018
My local bookstore was hosting a signing event for this autobiography, Pam is such an iconic actress in EastEnders - So I decided to attend.
Whilst reading the book I never realised what an eventful early life she lead.
People will be pleasantly surprised by this book.
Whilst reading the book I never realised what an eventful early life she lead.
People will be pleasantly surprised by this book.
August 4, 2021
Ms. St. Clement spins out a compelling yarn of her growing up years being bounced from pillar to post by a negligent, serial marry-er (not a word, I just made it a word for a moment), a man who was known for violence and dysfunctionality on a mammoth scale. The author managed to glom onto several good role models and then catapulted herself into the acting profession where she made quite a splash as a memorable member of a popular t.v. series in England.
Enjoyable to the end. Reading Julie Walters's autobiography simultaneous with Mrs. St. Clements, I was struck by the similarities in their backgrounds as far as being of a lower class (though neither one impoverished) yet their family situations were polar-opposites. And at the end they culminated in a common goal, acting. Both books are amazing.
Enjoyable to the end. Reading Julie Walters's autobiography simultaneous with Mrs. St. Clements, I was struck by the similarities in their backgrounds as far as being of a lower class (though neither one impoverished) yet their family situations were polar-opposites. And at the end they culminated in a common goal, acting. Both books are amazing.
July 31, 2019
A lovely autobiography ; adored the touch of the photographers to aid our image of the people she talked about and it was interesting to hear about her sad childhood. The eastenders bits were fab; little gossip to be had sadly but that is to be expected. I agree the chapter on her aunt was a little unneeded but this is a figure so important to Pat’s life; no wonder she wanted to give the reader her tragic story, one she could never share. A true pleasure to read, knocking off one star only for the wildlife chapter which wasn’t my cup of tea.
April 20, 2025
4.5 stars. A fascinating trip through Pam’s life that reminds me of the true depth people’s years truly hold, and how a tunnel-vision view of an individual (whether they have come to be known primarily as a character or not) does them such a disservice. My primary motivation for reading was as an Eastenders fan but my attention was easily held by other topics with various loving vignettes to individuals of the author’s past and straightforward anecdotes - even on things I find boring like theatre / drama!!
July 24, 2020
My thoughts on Pam a wonderful actress
I thought this book was a fantastic read. Her childhood was not very nice pushed from pillar to post until she ended up in Dartmoor which I must say is my favourite place too. I think being there made her the strong lady that she is. Pam is fantastic actress and wonderful animal lover and works hard for her charities.
I thought this book was a fantastic read. Her childhood was not very nice pushed from pillar to post until she ended up in Dartmoor which I must say is my favourite place too. I think being there made her the strong lady that she is. Pam is fantastic actress and wonderful animal lover and works hard for her charities.
January 7, 2017
What an incredible life this lady has had, from a rather unusual childhood being passed from farm to school. Her time touring with the RSC. Becoming Pat Butcher in Eastenders, this covers a fraction of it. This is written with incredible depth and I enjoyed every moment.
September 20, 2018
Very interesting and beautifully written.
January 25, 2019
Got this from the library. Started to read it the. Realised I had read it once before. So didn’t read the. Whole book again. Wastes of time to do so if I have already read. Lovely book .
February 2, 2019
Surprise!!
Such depth and honesty, what a life thus far. It was a great story, but fully aware that this was your life. You must be very forgiving. All good wishes to you.🐑😃
Such depth and honesty, what a life thus far. It was a great story, but fully aware that this was your life. You must be very forgiving. All good wishes to you.🐑😃
January 17, 2020
Great book
Loved the book would recommend if you are a fan its a good read and you learn alot about the person
Loved the book would recommend if you are a fan its a good read and you learn alot about the person
August 4, 2025
Really well written and an extremely interesting life, not just during Eastenders. LGBTQ friendly.
December 31, 2016
I was really looking forward to reading this so when I saw it in the library I got it and now I,m glad I did not pay for it. It just didn't,t seem to have the substance of other bio,s I have read it was rather boring in places and I feel I know the people she lived with as a child better than Pam herself. I skipped a lot of the chapters as they were just so boring and mundane. I did like the chapters on her time on Eastenders but even they were a bit yawn. I like reading bio,s so I can say to people did you know so and so did this you can't really say that with this book as there is nothing of any interest that Pam has done . She does a few name drops but that's just passing also she never really goes into any depth about people that have died in her life i.e. Her dad etc she just says they died end of. All in all it was an ok book but compared to other bio,s nothing to write home about
January 30, 2016
What was given to me as a joke present/miscommunication, was actually a fascinating read. Pam had an unconventional childhood with much sadness but it was lovely to hear stories of the kind and heartwarming people who became her surrogate family at her true home in a farm. It was also fascinating to find out so much about her career, an accomplished and acclaimed theatre actress, who toured the globe with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and was seen by the likes of Bette Davis. It was also fascinating to hear about Pam's love of animals and her various stories of nature and wildlife expeditions throughout the world. A wonderful memoir from a fantastic actress and lovely person. Don't judge a book by it's cover, and don't judge an actress by her character!
September 13, 2015
The title of this book does not reflect the depth of the author's story which encompasses her early unsettled life being passed around until finally finding a settled home, her boarding school life, her time as a Shakespearean actress and her role as a wildlife ambassador as well as the part she is best known for in Eastenders life and her recent presenting roles.
The audible book is narrated by Pam and it is a pleasure to listen to such a well-educated and modulated voice. What a lovely lady.
The audible book is narrated by Pam and it is a pleasure to listen to such a well-educated and modulated voice. What a lovely lady.
December 31, 2016
I am afraid she is a much better actress than a writer. I was completely bored in quite a few of her chapters. I am so sure that we could have had loads of much more interesting stories of her time with Eastenders than reading about her wonderful holidays.
October 21, 2016
I listened to this on audible, which was great as Pam read it herself, I really enjoyed it. I did love her in the part of Pat in Eastenders and a lot of that is covered, however there is so much more from her early years right through to the writing of this book, I enjoyed it!
January 22, 2017
Excellent read
Great book about a great person. Was lovely to learn about the person behind the iconic Pat Butcher. Pam shares her past respectfully and with great enthusiasm. Well worth a read.
Great book about a great person. Was lovely to learn about the person behind the iconic Pat Butcher. Pam shares her past respectfully and with great enthusiasm. Well worth a read.
July 2, 2015
I listened to the audio book, which was beautifully read by Pam herself. Would really recommend this.
August 26, 2015
really good but she kept away from talking about her current partner and how they met etc which i wouldve loved to have read about
October 11, 2015
very interesting life
March 31, 2017
Great book if you like Eastenders.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews