This article contains spoilers for tonight’s episode of EastEnders, which airs at 7.30pm on BBC One or can be streamed now on iPlayer.
Patrick Trueman (Rudolph Walker) has been left for dead.
He was on cloud nine after placing a winning bet – scooping up £6,000 with thanks to Howie Danes (Delroy Atkinson) making the punt for him.
As viewers will remember, fiancé Yolande (Angela Wynter) told Patrick that their upcoming wedding would be off if she caught him at the bookies again.
He stood outside flashing the cash to her, hoping she’d be impressed, but got quite the negative reception and went to drown her sorrows at the pub.
A gloomy Patrick then returned home, unaware of the horrors that would await him…
What happened to Patrick in EastEnders?
Patrick was horrified to spot a masked intruder holding his cash. He slammed the living room door closed and prepared to stage an intervention when the robber launched towards him.
During the scuffle, Patrick’s head hit the floor and he was knocked unconscious.
The burglar? None other than foolish Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier), who desperately needed the money to pay off his thuggish associate Fat Mike (Tai Hilferink).
Mike had threatened the Branning clan’s safety, and despite Oscar’s efforts to form a business deal with Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt), made the decision to target Patrick.
Little did he realise, sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) had already secured the funds with thanks to the kindness of her boss Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick).
But what about Patrick? Will he survive?
Is Patrick leaving EastEnders?
Luckily, it seems Patrick survives the ordeal. As the week goes on we’ll see his concerned family keep vigil at the hospital, as the police up their efforts to track down his attacker.
Anthony’s return has ‘sealed’ Patrick’s future on the show
With Patrick and Yolande’s wedding scheduled for 1st September, it seems that they will eventually walk down the aisle. It’s likely that she’ll change her stance on his betting after today’s assault.
We also know that Patrick’s beloved son Anthony (Nicholas Bailey) is set to return, with the two actors pictured on set.
The former Walford doctor was last seen a little over a decade ago when he staged a short return for one episode following Patrick’s stroke.
We know he’s back in town for the nuptials, however, also comes at a significant moment for Patrick and it means that his stay is longer than he intended.
EastEnders Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: ‘It’s great to welcome Nicholas back to the EastEnders family to reunite Patrick with his son.
‘But Anthony’s plan for a brief return to surprise his father ends up with him staying longer than he expected when he uncovers what has been going on in the Trueman household.’
Long live Patrick Trueman! Yeah man!
