EastEnders fans 'uncover' another Pastor Clayton 'victim' and it's someone close to him

Yolande shared an intense moment with Pastor Clayton's wife, as the latter tried to convince her to retract her statement. But one detail left fans convinced she is a victim.

Soap fans are convinced that Stella has been abused by her husband after she was seen holding back tears during a conversation about Pastor Clayton.

Actress Velile Tshabalala returned to EastEnders this Monday, September 30, 2024, as her BBC One alter ego pleaded with Yolande Trueman (portrayed by Angela Wynter) to retract her statement against Pastor Gideon Clayton (Howard Saddler), who sexually assaulted her in April.

Bolstered by the news that a third woman had broken her silence against the pastor, Yolande stood her ground as Stella confronted her during another event at church, which Yolande had been avoiding in the aftermath of her assault.

But just as she told Stella she would not budge, she also called to her own empathy, knowing that a man as dangerous as Pastor Clayton is capable of terrorising his own nearest and dearest. Viewers at home have shared their concerns that Yolande was right as Stella struggled to hold back her emotions.

"Stella has clearly been abused and manipulated by Clayton too, good for Yolande for seeing it. She’s a bigger person than I would’ve been, to both Agatha and Stella", one of them claimed on Twitter, now X. Another agreed: "I think Clayton was physically abusive to her too. I think he hit Stella on multiple occasions or started belittling her." Yolande's chat with Stella ended with the latter slowly crumbling into tears but she eventually ended the conversation by apologising to Yolande, who returned the favour.

Unfortunately, Pastor Clayton had another trick up his sleeve. As this Monday's trip to the Square drew to a close, with Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) sharing a drink with pals at The Queen Vic, Yolande was alone at home when the pastor knocked on her door, allowing himself in. What will he do next?

Regular viewers of the London-based programme will already know that Pastor Clayton will not have a redemption arc as spoilers have revealed he will be killed off. But how will Yolande react? Devoted viewers might recall that Howard Saddler's portrayal of Pastor Clayton isn't his first appearance in the BBC soap as he previously graced the screen in 2002 as Doctor Daniel Rodford for a single episode.

The doctor played a minor role in one of the most unforgettable Christmas storylines of the BBC soap, providing medical care to Jamie Mitchell after he was hit by Martin Fowler's car. Sitcom enthusiasts will recognise Howard from his stint as Oliver in The Office during 2002 and 2003. The Wernham Hogg employee is a good-natured chap from Swindon who tolerates David Brent's (Ricky Gervais) 'jokes' with an air of indifference.

Brent initiates his relationship with this Swindon transferee by making racially insensitive jokes but easy-going Oliver dismisses the poor-taste humour. Among all the "Swindon slugs", he is the only one who makes any effort to gel with his new boss.

The only time a co-worker seems to ruffle Oliver's feathers is when Sheila confesses her feelings for him. His acting credits also include roles in Judge John Deed, Rockface, Waking the Dead, and Black Cake.

Before taking on the role of Pastor Clayton in EastEnders, Howard featured in Netflix's The Witcher for a single episode, portraying Herald in 2023. You can see Howard Saddler as Pastor Clayton in EastEnders next week.

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