Is Rudolph Walker leaving EastEnders? As Patrick fights for life, fears grow for soap legend's future

Patrick's in a precarious situation
Joel Harley
By Joel Harley

Last night’s episode of EastEnders (Monday, August 4) saw Patrick Trueman fighting for his life after being attacked by Oscar Branning –  but is actor Rudolph Walker leaving the soap? Oscar, desperate to raise the money to pay off ‘menacing’ compatriot Fat Mike, broke into the Trueman household to try and steal Patrick’s gambling winnings.

Unfortunately, he was caught out by Patrick, who’d neglected to join Yolande and the family for a drink after being put in the doghouse by his angry fiancée. Attempting to stop Oscar from fleeing with the cash, Patrick tumbled to the floor in the ensuing scuffle.

With Patrick unconscious on the floor before him, bleeding from his head, horrified Oscar began to panic. But does this spell an exit from the soap for Patrick?

Patrick unconscious on the floor in EastEnders
Oscar’s attack left Patrick unconscious and unresponsive (Credit: BBC)

EastEnders fans fear for Patrick’s life following attack

Writing on social media as last night’s events unfolded, fans shared their fears for the EastEnders icon’s future. And many worried that the soap was about to lose one of its greatest assets.

“I beg. You can’t kill off Patrick this way,” wrote one fan on X.

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Utilising a TikTok parlance, another said: “If he’s unalived Patrick I’m gonna crash out.”

“Patrick is a national treasure! Protect him at all costs!” begged a third.

“Not our Patrick,” said a fourth.

Will Patrick pull through?

Patrick and Yolande smiling as they stand next to each other at home on EastEnders
What does the future hold for Patrick and Yolande? (Credit: BBC)

Is Rudolph Walker leaving EastEnders?

Thankfully, it seems likely that Patrick will survive his encounter with Oscar. There’s been no announcement that actor Rudolph Walker is leaving the soap, with next week’s spoilers even referencing his return home from the hospital and subsequent recovery.

Looking further ahead than that, future scenes on the soap will see Patrick reunited with son Anthony ahead of his wedding to Yolande. So it seems as though Patrick isn’t going anywhere just yet!

But will he recover from Oscar’s attack? With Patrick feeling rattled after his experience, he still has a long road ahead…

Read more: Who’s leaving, joining and returning to EastEnders? Complete list of cast exits, arrivals and returns.