Pinky Darling's Pat Butcher tattoo

AN EastEnders fan has had a picture of one of the soap’s most popular characters tattooed on her arm.

Pinky Darling now has Pat Butcher’s disapproving face staring up at her on a daily basis after having the eight-inch picture inked on.

The 28-year-old sat through five-and-a-half hours of painstaking needlework to have the soap legend, played by actress Pam St Clement, created on her left forearm.

Dressed in a loud red and black stripy shirt, the tattoo even has her sporting her trademark big ear-rings.

Miss Darling, from Colchester, said: “I did it for a bit of humour really as she is just a great character and I have always liked EastEnders.

“I have watched it since I was little and I like to push the limits as much as can.

“It definitely looks like her the second you see it.

“People have stopped me in the street already to have a look at it – everyone loves it.”

Popular actress Pam also proved she was game for a laugh, claiming she was “flattered” by the unusual tribute to her long-running character.

She said: “I’m flattered but my commiserations for having to have me on your limb for the rest of your life.

“I’m watching you...”

The pink-haired soap fan, who works at Cosmic Tattoo in Colchester, asked colleague Leigh Oldcorn to ink on the lifelike image.

He said: “I thought it was great. I love doing that kind of thing - the more wacky the better.”

The tattoo has even scooped first prize in the Small Female Colour category at Gillingham Tattoo Convention in Kent.