Rudolph Walker has reflected on an alleged snub from an EastEnders book that was released two decades ago to mark the show’s 20th anniversary.
The 84-year-old, who has played Patrick Truman since 2001, recalled how he and his black co-stars were not included in the book, which was released in 2005.
In his new autobiography Walking With Dignity, the soap legend recalled how his own photo was nowhere to be seen in the anniversary book which – according to The Sun – was commissioned by the BBC.
Rudolph revealed that co-stars Adam Woodyatt and Shane Richie demanded that the book, which was not directly produced by EastEnders, to be ‘withdrawn and reprinted’.
‘By the end of 2004, I had appeared in 300 episodes over three years and in 2004 had eight “doof doofs”, reads an extract from his autobiography, which was printed in the publication.
‘The absence in the book of one of the first black families in the Square — despite their small photos, there were scant references inside to Gary Beadle and Nick Bailey [who played his on-screen sons] either, caused many eyebrows to be raised and questions asked.’
Rudolph revealed that he sorted it out with bosses, who blamed an ‘independent editor’ for the error. The 84-year-old was quick to praise EastEnders for including ‘characters from diverse ethnic backgrounds,’ making reference to the recent casting of Colin Salmon, who portrays Queen Vic landlord George Knight.
This comes after the soap star revealed that he was ‘homeless and penniless’ for two years while still working on the show.
The former Love Thy Neighbour actor recalled the ‘extremely difficult’ time, which he kept hidden from his co-stars and family in a new interview.
According to Rudolph, there came a time when all he had left was a car and he was forced to live out of a suitcase as he started living a ‘double life’ that caused him huge pain.
‘It was painful. It was extremely difficult. I just didn’t have any financial means. I was literally starting from scratch again in my 70s, with nowhere to live. It was a time of great pain and loneliness,’ he said.
Earlier this year the Thin Blue Line star – who will celebrate his 85th birthday imminently – set up the Rudolph Walker Foundation to ‘unlock the potential and promote the wellbeing of young people, by involving them in high-quality performing arts experiences and welcoming them into an inspiring and creative family.’
And he has no plans of slowing down as he told Metro.co.uk in 2022.
‘Retiring? What’s that?! No, I enjoy it, I enjoy being there, I enjoy working,’ he said about the possibility of leaving the show.
I’m sure there are going to be storylines that are going to come up, having been here for a number of years. I’m sure there are exciting things in the pipeline,’ he added at the time.
