EastEnders spoilers follow for Tuesday’s episode (October 1), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual assault and suicide.
EastEnders’ Yolande has received shocking news about Pastor Clayton in the show’s latest episode.
This week, Yolande was told that a third woman had come forward and made allegations about the pastor, which further strengthened the sexual assault case against him.
The pastor’s wife Stella confronted Yolande at the community centre and asked her to retract her statement, but Yolande made her realise just what her husband had done.
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But later, Pastor Clayton himself barged into Yolande’s house wanting to speak to her, leaving Yolande terrified.
In today’s episode, the pastor told Yolande that his wife had packed her things and left him because of their earlier conversation.
He was furious with her for destroying his reputation, his career and marriage, and urged her to withdraw her statement and “repent”, in the hope that the other women would follow suit.
The pastor tried to make her feel guilty about the community no longer having a faith leader, but a scared Yolande threatened to call the police.
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Meanwhile, Patrick was keen to return from The Vic to see Yolande, but he was persuaded to stay for another drink with Kim and Howie.
The pastor continued to put pressure on Yolande to retract her statement, but she laughed in his face and called him delusional.
In an incredibly powerful scene, she stood up for herself and opened up about how his sexual assault had affected her, even saying that it would have been better if he had killed her instead.
As the pastor started to look guilty about his actions, Denzel arrived home and told him to leave the house.
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Patrick, Kim and Howie were shocked when they also came home and were told about what had happened with the pastor, but were heartened that Yolande had remained firm about her statement.
The family spent the evening together, but as everyone was heading to bed later, they received a visit from the police.
“We wanted to inform you before it becomes public knowledge,” the officer said. “Gideon Clayton took his own life earlier this evening.”
How will this shocking news affect Yolande?
EastEnders airs on Mondays – Thursdays at 7.30pm on BBC One. The show also streams on BBC iPlayer, where most episodes drop early at 6am ahead of their TV broadcast.
Read more EastEnders spoilers on our dedicated homepage
EastEnders has been working on Yolande’s story with guidance from End Violence Against Women Coalition and Hourglass, which provides specialist services and resources for women of all ages and backgrounds, who have experienced any form of violence.
More information is available from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
We encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Information about how to access support is available via the NHS, and organisations who can offer help include Samaritans on 116 123 or Mind on 0300 123 3393.
Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.