EastEnders star, 83, rules out ever retiring and opens up about life on set

EASTENDERS star Rudolph Walker has ruled out the idea of retiring - insisting he's not done just yet.

The Patrick Trueman actor - who has just celebrated his 83rd birthday - has become an absolute soap icon after first appearing on Albert Square in 2001.

At the Pride of Britain Awards, Rudolph told : "Retiring? What’s that?! No, I enjoy it, I enjoy being there, I enjoy working.";

"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 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.

"He was interested in the show, he knew that I had been in it for a long time and that,"; he told the PA.

"Here I am at the ripe young age of 81, going on to 82, still doing it and still enjoying it.

";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.'"