EastEnders legend reveals he was homeless and penniless after devastating divorce

AN EASTENDERS fable has revealed helium was stateless and penniless portion filming the BBC One soap - with "only a car to his name."

The histrion down the fan-favourite character, who arrived successful Walford successful 2001, told however helium was near "crying" astatine his unfortunate concern pursuing his divorce.

Rudolph Walker, who plays EastEnders stalwart Patrick Trueman, became snarled up successful the ineligible costs of his 2nd divorce.

He joined 2nd woman Dounne Alexander successful 1998 yet erstwhile the brace split, helium told however helium was near cash-strapped and surviving a "double life."

The BBC One prima candidly said: "It was painful.

"It was highly difficult. I conscionable didn’t person immoderate fiscal means.

"I was virtually starting from scratch again successful my 70s, with obscurity to live. It was a clip of large symptom and loneliness."

He added to MirrorOnline: "Some days connected my mode to the studio, I would propulsion up astatine the broadside of the road, person a cry.

"I accidental it was a benignant of treble life.

"Questions of: 'Who americium I? Why americium I successful this position?'

"There was nary mode the nationalist watching maine arsenic Patrick each different nighttime were alert that was what was happening."

His acting skills meant helium covered up his heartache portion portraying Patrick to the federation - a quality they person taken to heart.

He antecedently told however he volition "never retire" from the soap and admitted helium "enjoys working."

Off-screen, helium is besides happily joined to 3rd woman Evangeline Vincent, with the brace saying In Do successful 2016.

The dada of two's archetypal matrimony to Lorna Ross, with whom helium shares his kids, came successful 1968.

As good arsenic turning a country financially, helium has started a caller career, too.

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This summertime we reported however Rudolph is preparing to archer his beingness communicative successful an autobiography.

He plans to item his beingness on-screen successful a caller memoir, and precocious announced connected societal media: ""At last!! My Autobiography ‘Walking With Dignity’ is retired 26 Sept.

"I anticipation you enjoy. Do dispersed the word."

Ricky Norwood, who played Fatboy connected the soap, besides shared the station and heaped praise connected Rudolph, writing: "If your going to work anyone’s story.. this man’s travel is 1 filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, Surprises and beingness lessons..!

"I’m truthful honoured to telephone this antheral a mentor and person x"

Rudolph, primitively from Trinidad and Tobago, has had a trailblazing vocation successful acting, and has go beloved arsenic a "TV uncle" to thousands of fans.

On apical of EastEnders, helium has had celebrated roles successful sitcoms Love Thy Neighbour - which ran from 1972 to 1976 - and The Thin Blue Line.