Doting Patrick Trueman’s response to Yolande confiding her 𝕤exual assault is lovingly powerful in EastEnders

EastEnders has revealed new pictures which show doting husband Patrick Trueman’s (Rudolph Walker) tender response to Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter) bravely confiding in him that vile Pastor Clayton (Howard Saddler) sexually assaulting her.

Last month, Yolande was subjected to the terrifying attack after Clayton harassed and gaslit her, with it transpiring to the audience that she is one in a long line of his victims.

Since then, Yolande has struggled to hold things together, keeping her ordeal a secret from all but supportive Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe).

Patrick has picked up on his wife’s distant behaviour and innocently sought advice from Clayton, who tried to plant the seeds that she could be suffering from symptoms of dementia.

Patrick offers moving comfort to the women he loves as she lays bare her ordeal

In a powerful two-hander episode showcasing the unbelievable talents of TV stalwarts Rudolph Walker and Angela Wynter, Yolande will explain to Patrick what happened to her, leaving him reeling and aching for his wife.

Initially feeling unable to say the words herself, she asks for Elaine’s support in breaking the news of the assault to Patrick.

In tearful moments, she emotionally discusses with him what she went through and he holds her hand, assuring her that he is here for her.

But this comes after she locks herself in the bathroom, overwhelmed by it all. When Patrick’s anger kicks in, and he heads to confront Pastor Clayton, Yolande rushes to stop him.

‘Yolande doesn’t want Patrick to tangle with Pastor Clayton because she doesn’t want him to get physically hurt,’ Angela told us.

‘She’s felt the wrath of Pastor Clayton, and knows that he’s an evil person. Patrick is an old gunner, and he’ll go in there like he can beat the man, but he’s no physical match for Pastor Clayton who is a much younger man.

‘Yolande loves Patrick so much, and she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. There’s no question that it would be the end of her world if anything happened to Patrick.’

As they return inside they discuss what Yolande has been through, which is when Patrick calms down and realises what she needs more than anything is his love, support and assurances.

In a powerful outcome, she agrees to report Pastor Clayton to the church officials, but it remains to be seen if Clayton faces the consequences for his crime.

Given he has struck a number of times but still retains an official position suggests that it may be a horrendously uphill struggle to get justice, but with Patrick and Elaine in her corner, will Yolande manage to get through this no matter what happens?

On filming the special episode, Angela said: ‘I feel very comfortable with Rudolph – he’s my brother, my friend, my uncle, he’s everybody!

‘There’s a bit of every relative I have in him. We’ve known each other for so many years.

‘I played his maid first when I was a young girl in a play, then I played his daughter in a TV movie, and then I came to play his girlfriend and then wife at EastEnders.

‘It’s a long relationship of love and respect, and I could play any character with him. There is a deep friendship between us; we trust each other and have each other’s back. It’s all very natural with him.’

EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw added: ‘When you have a story that deserves time and space to explore, and you have talent like Angela Wynter and Rudoph Walker, it felt only right to produce an EastEnders two-hander episode.

‘This conversation is the most difficult that Yolande and Patrick will ever have, and an episode dedicated to them gives us a chance to tell this story truthfully and authentically.

‘I’m in awe of the performances Angela and Rudolph have given and they’ve handled such a challenging and sensitive subject matter.’