EastEnders star Rudolph Walker has confirmed that Patrick Trueman is most definitely here to stay, as he ruled out the idea of retiring.

The actor, 83, has become an absolute soap icon after first appearing on Albert Square in 2001.

Chatting to Metro.co.uk at the Pride of Britain Awards, Rudolph said: ‘Retiring? What’s that?! No, I enjoy it, I enjoy being there, I enjoy working.’

As for anything he’s not had a chance to do yet, he added: ‘I’m sure there are going to be storylines that are going to come up, having been here for a number of years. I’m sure there are exciting things in the pipeline.

‘Of course I can’t reveal if there’s anything coming up!’

Meanwhile, he and the cast are still clearly all the best of pals, as he went on: ‘You talk to any of the actors on EastEnders, we just enjoy working together.’

Rudolph attended alongside co-star Tameka Empson (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Rudolph was last year awarded a CBE for his services to drama and charity.

He was honoured with the award by King Charles, who was Prince of Wales at the time.

Rudolph said at the time that Charles made everyone feel ‘extremely relaxed,’ but revealed that he briefly mixed up EastEnders with Coronation Street.

Rudolph has played Patrick for 21 years (Picture: BBC / Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

‘He was interested in the show, he knew that I had been in it for a long time and that, here I am at the ripe young age of 81, going on to 82, still doing it and still enjoying it,’ he told the PA news agency.

‘It was very relaxing, he made us feel extremely relaxed and he was interested in the fact that I am still plodding on.

‘He spoke about Coronation Street and I said “No, no, you’re talking about the opposition. Let’s talk about EastEnders”.

‘He just laughed and said “I do understand, I do apologise” but it was done very lightheartedly.”

CBE stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and it is the highest ranking British Empire award.

Rudolph attended the Pride Of Britain Awards alongside the likes of Michael Sheen, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Dame Kelly Holmes, Sir Mo Farah and the Lionesses.

The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards will air on ITV on October 27 at 8pm.

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He’s not going anywhere!