BBC1 WEDNESDAY
PREDATORY PASTOR CLAYTON ABUSES HIS POSITION OF POWER…
Yolande faces one of the most harrowing moments of her life this week, as Pastor Clayton sexually assaults her.
An hour-long EastEnders will see traumatic scenes play out as the sexual predator makes his move, leaving poor Yolande deeply distressed. But as she struggles to process the horror, is Yolande able to speak up?
“It’s important to tell stories like this, as sexual abuse happens too often in our society,” explains star Angela Wynter, who plays Yolande. “There are many people who are being abused, and they’re not able to speak up because those doing the abusing are in the positions of power.
“When that happens, people fear they won’t be believed, they’ll lose their job or status, or feel naïve or embarrassed,” continues the star. “As an actor I tell stories, and I felt I could tell this story and put a spotlight on the issue.”
Viewers have already seen formerly friendly Pastor Clayton displaying worrying behaviour towards Yolande. She’s called him out on his inappropriate conduct, only for Gideon to turn the situation around and accuse Yolande of being the one in the wrong!
The pair put the incident behind them and got back to working on a church fundraiser, but can she forgive and forget?
“Yolande does think they’ve resolved their issues, but there is a little reserve on her part,” reveals Angela. “She trusts Pastor Clayton because he is a man of the cloth, and now thinks she overreacted because he made her feel like that. But her instinct was right.”
Yolande is given a boost when Patrick arrives home from his trip to Trinidad, and she’s delighted they’re reunited.
However, Gideon isn’t happy to see that Yolande’s attention has been diverted from him…
Despite being busy with the church, Yolande agrees to a family dinner – which Pastor Clayton interrupts. Yolande invites the clergyman to join, though soon tensions rise.
“There’s conflict between Yolande and Patrick because she��
