Tom Clements

Name: Tom Clements
First Appeared: 26th August 1986
Last Appeared: 21st April 1988
Played by: Donald Tandy

Tom Clements, the army war veteran with a fondness for leeks, made his mark on Albert Square in August 1986. Living with his spinster sister in the council house at 25 Albert Square, Tom initially worked as the custodian of the community centre. His competitive spirit shone through in the Walford Allotments, where he often found himself up against Arthur Fowler. Tom managed to snag first prize for the best leeks at the Walford & District Allotment Society Show – though he had a little help from Roly the poodle, who damaged Arthur’s leeks the night before.

After his sister passed away, Tom sought companionship from Dot Cotton and Pat Wicks. Dot, ever faithful to her marriage vows, didn’t entertain the idea, and Pat found Tom too old for her lively lifestyle. In 1986, Tom took up a new role as potman at The Queen Victoria pub, a job he relished even though he was paid in pints and occasional cash-in-hand. Later, Tom swapped lodgings with Dot, moving to Number 23A Albert Square.

Tom’s life ended abruptly on 21 April 1988 when he died of a heart attack while on duty in the pub toilets. With no close family or friends left, Dot took it upon herself to arrange his funeral. She was deeply touched to find he had carried a small picture of her in his pocket. Despite her efforts, Dot was furious when only she and Ian Beale attended Tom’s funeral, feeling the sting of his absence in the community.