Pat Sugden

Creation and characterisation Pat is characterised as a "passionate and strong minded" female. Pat easily settles into farm life and contributes by taking over control of Sam Pearson's (Toke Townley) vegetable garden. In her backstory, Pat was born in Beckindale, the village the soap opera was originally set in. Pat's maiden name is Harker. When the character was introduced in 1972, she was known also known as Ruth Merrick. She arrives with her husband, Tom Merrick (Dave Hill) and their two children Jackie Merrick (Uncredited) and Sandie Merrick (Jenny Mayors-Clark). Pat's relationship with Tom was troublesome due to his alcoholism and he was violent towards her. Shortly after Pat's arrival, her ex-boyfriend Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) returns to the village. In the book, "50 Years of Emmerdale", author Tom Parfitt stated that Pat always loved Jack, despite her marriage to Tom. He added that Tom "was a lousy husband, a drunk, openly violent towards Pat and jealous of Jack's return to the village." This left Pat on the rebound and she marries Tom. The reveal scenes occurred during an episode featuring an argument between Pat and Jack. During Weir's pregnancy, writers had to change Pat's usual scenes featuring her working on the farm. Hornby told Maureen Cozens from Sunday Sun that "they've written out any scenes of Pat driving the tractor or dipping the sheep - she used to do quite heavy stuff, which Helen can't at the moment." The pregnancy storyline was created following blurring between fiction and reality. Weir became pregnant with Hornby's child and gave birth in to a son in December 1985. Producers decided to write the pregnancy into Pat's storyline and wanted them to include their new-born child in the Emmerdale Farm cast. Weir and Hornby were willing to oblige on the condition the child would be referred to by his real name on-screen. Weir and Hornby called their son Thomas but this polarised producers, who believed that Pat would never call their son Thomas, as Pat's abusive husband was also named Tom. The show's producers offered Weir a new two-year contract and wanted the child to be called Robert in the series. The crash and Pat's final on-screen appearance occurred during the episode broadcast on 26 August 1986. ==Storylines==

In September 1980, Ruth, now calling herself Pat, returns to Beckindale with Jackie and Sandie to stay with her aunt Elsie after she separates from Tom. Elsie refuses to let them live in her home due to her children's noise making. She moves into a small caravan. Pat begins dating Jack and Tom later returns. He tries to frame Jack for arson but Jack provides an alibi. Seth Armstrong discovers Tom's schemes and orders him to leave Beckindale or he will reveal his role in the arson. In 1982, Pat and Jack marry and are happy in their union until 1984, when Jack has an affair with a reporter named Karen. The couple break-up for a while but later reconcile. In 1985, Pat discovers she is pregnant. In April 1986, she gives birth to a son, Robert Sugden, which brings her and Jack closer together. However, in August Pat dies after her car crashed down a hillside when she swerved to avoid a flock of sheep. Pat has an on-screen funeral and is buried in the village churchyard. Jack was left to bring up Robert alone. ==Reception==

The ''Sunday Sun's'' Maureen Cozens praised Jack's affair storyline, stating that "the scenes provided some of the best, most challenging acting for the two of them." She described Pat as not very vivacious and with a "dreary voice", especially when the character says "Jaack luv". ==References==