EastEnders star Rudolph Walker, celebrated for his role as the endearing Patrick Trueman in Albert Square, has revealed a harrowing past of financial and personal turmoil. At 84 years old, he shockingly disclosed that he spent two years in destitution and homelessness, concealing the agony from both his co-stars and offspring.
The soap icon recalls breaking down in tears en route to the Elstree set, tormented by the “utter despair” of his secretive struggle. Despite being featured on one of the BBC‘s flagship programmes, Rudolph led a transient life, luggage in hand, depending on friends’ help for accommodation while his fellow actors were unaware of the crisis unfolding in their midst.
Tracing the origins of his predicament to the mid-2010s, the difficulties began post a grueling divorce from his second wife, Dounne Alexander MBE, whom he wed in 1998. Legal expenses eroded his wealth, leaving him destitute in his seventies after an acting career spanning over four decades and with nothing but his car remaining.
With desperation mounting, Rudolph started yearning for extended filming hours time as the BBC, oblivious to his plight, might occasionally provide hotel accommodations close to the set for late-night shoots.
In his own words, he explained: “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,” reports the Mirror.
He was resolute in concealing his struggles from colleagues, maintaining the facade of the cheerful Patrick at work. “Some days on my way to the studio, I would pull up at the side of the road, have a cry,” he discloses.
“I’d pull myself together, arrive at the studio and the environment would act as a tonic, and I was ready to go. I suppose it was a sort of double life.”
Diane Parish, known for her role as Denise Fox, sensed something wasn’t quite right. She would take moments during breaks to check on Rudolph.
“Diane knew there was something going on, but I never revealed the depth of what was happening,” he admits. “I am who I am.”
Ahead of his autobiography release, ‘Walking With Dignity’, Rudolph has now shared his past tribulations. He recounts hitting rock bottom when he ended up in a dismal hotel that was more akin to a hostel.
“There was a wash basin, small bed, and a TV in the corner, with a communal shower and toilet in the corridor,” he describes. “I sat on the bed and cried. Questions of: ‘Who am I? Why am I in this position? ‘ There was no way the public watching me as Patrick every other night were aware that was what was happening.”
The veteran star, set to celebrate his 85th birthday later this month, refuses to be knocked down by life’s challenges. Drawing on the strength from his early years in Trinidad, he credits his resilience for helping him through the most difficult times.
He continues with a positive outlook: “My philosophy is: ‘Smile and try to be happy.'”.
In a touching revelation, Rudolph speaks fondly of his first wife, Lorna Ross, who he married in 1968 and separated from in the early 90s. She arranged for him to stay at her friend’s house during tough times.
“Bless her,” he says gratefully. “We are still extremely good friends. It didn’t take me out of what I was experiencing, but it cushioned a lot.”
More than a decade later, he’s firmly on his feet with “fantastic” neighbours in Reading.
Outside of his Eastenders role Rudolph also starred in Ben Elton’s The Thin Blue Line and the 1980s legal drama Black Silkand for sharing the screen with Hollywood legends like Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and John Goodman was honoured with a CBE for his services to drama and charity in 2020.
Rudolph Walker’s book Walking With Dignity is published on September 26.