Bhasker Patel has quit Emmerdale after 12 years.
His character Rishi Sharma was killed off in dramatic scenes during Thursday’s (July 27) instalment.
It’s the end of an era for the fan favourite after such a long stint on the ITV soap.
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He said: “I feel privileged to have been part of the show for 12 years. I have loved it and will miss it enormously, especially my friends and working in the beautiful village of Emmerdale.
“Thanks for watching Rishi over the years.”
Bhasker’s exit comes after Rishi told “son” Jai Sharma that his brother was his biological father and not him.
The dramatic departure has been heartbreaking for his co-stars.
Chris Bisson, who plays his on-screen son Jai, already misses filming with him.
He said: “It does feel very strange without Bhasker. Every time I walk past what was his dressing room, I think about popping my head in to see how he’s doing.
“So it is strange when he isn’t there. Twelve years is a long time and over the years we’ve had some great stories and have had a lot of fun too.
(Image: ITV)
“Bhasker and I got on really well personally so that makes a big difference and the loss even greater. We all miss him in the building.”
Jai will discover Rishi is dead in emotional scenes in Friday’s (July 28) episode.
Fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts on Rishi’s emotional exit from the soap.
Taking to Twitter, one fan penned: “Awwwww… Please don’t kill Rishi off…. #Emmerdale”
(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Another added: “OMG Rishi is dead.”
A third person posted: “Oh dear, goodbye Rishi.”
Rishi arrived in Emmerdale village with his daughter Priya Sharma (Fiona Wade) in 2011 to meet his son Jai’s then fiancée Charity Tate (Emma Atkins).
The character has been involved several dramatic storylines over the years, including his relationship and then divorce from Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker).
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
