Tom Clements (EastEnders)

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EastEnders character
Tom Clements
Portrayed by	Donald Tandy
Duration	1986–1988
First appearance	26 August 1986
Last appearance	21 April 1988
Date of death	21 April 1988
Status	Deceased
Occupation	Potman

Tom Clements was a fictional character in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He was played by Donald Tandy.

[edit] History

Army war veteran Tom was first seen in Albert Square in August 1986. He lived with his spinster sister in the council house at Number 25 Albert Square and he initially worked for the council as custodian of the community centre. He was also a member of the Walford Allotments where he competed with Arthur Fowler in the growing of leeks and marrows. He managed to win first prize for the best leeks at the Walford & District Allotment Society Show, when he actually stole them from Arthur — the leeks he had been hoping to enter were damaged by Roly the poodle the night before the competition.

After his sister died, Tom sought the female company of Dot Cotton and Pat Wicks, but Dot remained faithful to her marriage vows and Pat thought Tom too old for her boisterous lifestyle.

In 1986, Tom accepted an offer to work as potman at The Queen Vic. He worked for pints and the occasional cash-in-hand. Later on Tom swapped lodgings with Dot and moved next door to the flat at Number 23A Albert Square.

He died at his post in the pub toilets of a heart attack on the 21st April 1988.

With no relatives or close friends, Dot took it upon herself to arrange his funeral and dispose of his personal belongings. She was shocked to find that he carried a small picture of herself in his pocket. Dot was later furious when only she and Ian Beale turned up at his funeral.