EastEnders viewers were left in tears as Yolande Trueman was sexually assaulted by Pastor Clayton during Wednesday’s episode of the soap, fans took to social media to comment
BBC EastEnders fans were left in tears as Yolande Trueman’s sexual assault storyline began.
The emotional rollercoaster reached a peak for viewers of the BBC One drama after Yolande Trueman was sexually assaulted during Wednesday’s episode. The beloved character, played by Angela Wynter, is at the heart of a devastating plotline as the London-set soap addresses this often concealed crime, a decade on from Linda Carter’s own traumatic experience with Dean Wicks.
On Wednesday (April 17, 2024), Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) was on high alert, leading fans to speculate that he might confront Pastor Clayton (Howard Saddler) himself while his wife was entirely preoccupied with her church fundraiser. However, instead of reuniting, the couple found themselves torn apart as tensions escalated, resulting in Yolande banning her husband from the event.
The final preparations for the fundraiser were underway, with Yolande thrilled that Denise and Chelsea Fox had both agreed to lend a hand. At the same time, Pastor Clayton was slowly making his move, gathering information about Yolande’s recent spat with Patrick… before attacking her in a locked cupboard.
She was later seen as her assailant exited, struggling to comprehend and recover from her ordeal. While Yolande was left shaking in the shadows, as the fundraiser kicked off, gutted fans swarmed to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, spilling their hearts out over the beloved character. “Why would EastEnders do this to Yolande, please? How dare you”, one fan blasted.
Another lamented: “Poor Yolande, she should’ve never come back to the square.” Other telly addicts highlighted a “triggering” yet “powerful” episode and heaped praise on Angela Wynter for her “award-worthy” acting.
“Extremely powerful and important episode that was very well executed. Such an important subject matter”, a viewer praised, before gushing: “Angela Wynter was phenomenal. Yolande’s pain was almost tangible. The emotions displayed by Angela Wynter’s performance are award worthy.”
“Very powerful performances in tonight’s #EastEnders Felt sick to my stomach for Yolande. Great acting”, another chimed in, while someone else penned: “Not Yolande, that was too hard an episode to watch.”
Meanwhile, another soap buff is already itching for the harrowing plot to wrap up: “Oh Yolande – I hope #eastenders wrap this storyline up quickly, crazy triggering – I didn’t see a warning at the start either.”
As the episode came to an end, Yolande made a swift exit from the fundraiser, finding solace in the company of Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) at the launderette. The Vic’s landlady was the first person she confided in about her ordeal.
Unfortunately, this is just the start of a difficult journey for Yolande as the residual trauma from her assault will stop her from going to church. Unbeknownst to him, Patrick will urge her to continue with her religious practices – similar to Pastor Clayton. In subsequent scenes, Patrick’s gestures become a source of distress for Yolande when he plans a romantic dinner.
