By Laura Carreno
Emotion is at an all-time high among EastEnders fans after Yolande Trueman was sexually assaulted during Wednesday's instalment of the BBC One drama.
The fan favourite portrayed by Angela Wynter is at the core of a heartbreaking storyline as the London-based program tackles the often hidden crime, ten years after Linda Carter's own ordeal at the hands of Dean Wicks.
On Wednesday (April 17, 2024), Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) was on his guard, with fans speculating he could take Pastor Clayton (Howard Saddler) himself while his wife's entire focus remained on her church fundraiser. But instead of being brought back together, the lovebirds were torn apart as tension eventually culminated in Yolande banning her other half from the event.
The last few moments of preparation for the fundraiser were in full swing, with Yolande being over the moon as Denise and Chelsea Fox both agreed to help. Meanwhile, Pastor Clayton slowly made his move, collecting information on Yolande's recent argument with Patrick... before preying on her in a locked cupboard. She was later seen as her attacker walked out, making desperate attempts to process and recover from her attack.
While Yolande cowered in silence, just as the fundraiser began, distraught viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, unable to contain their sadness for the favourite. "Why would EastEnders do this to Yolande please? How dare you", one viewer complained. Another sighed: "Poor Yolande, she should’ve never come back to the square."
Other soap fans pointed out a "triggering" albeit "powerful" episode and congratulated Angela Wynter on her "award-worthy" performance. "Extremely powerful and important episode that was very well executed. Such an important subject matter", a fan commented, adding: "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 echoed while one wrote: "Not Yolande, that was too hard an episode to watch." A soap watcher, on the other hand, was already keen to see the soul-crushing storyline come to an end: "Oh Yolande - I hope #eastenders wrap this storyline up quickly, crazy triggering - I didn't see a warning at the start either."
As the instalment drew to a close, Yolande fled the fundraiser, seeking comfort in the company of Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) in the launderette. The Vic landlady was the first resident she trusted with her story. Sadly, this is only the beginning of an intense struggle for Yolande as the lingering trauma of her ordeal will prevent her from attending church in the wake of her assault.
Unaware of her pain, Patrick will encourage her to keep practising her faith - much like Pastor Clayton. In later scenes, Patrick's advances are triggering for Yolande when he organises a romantic dinner.
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
