Romance for Rishi

Emmerdale star Bhasker Patel on his character’s joy at finally finding love again after years of heartache

After Rishi Sharma’s wife left him in 2013, the Emmerdale businessman focused all his energy on helping his troubled children – while neglecting his own love life. But with son Jai and daughter Priya now happier, Rishi has struck up a relationship with village doctor Manpreet Jutla and is in the mood for romance.

‘When Rishi first became single, he was too preoccupied with his wife Georgia leaving him to think about dating again,’ explains veteran actor Bhasker Patel, who plays Rishi. ‘Then he became so concerned with Priya’s anorexia and Jai’s cocaine addiction that he forgot about himself. He recently met this pretty, smart doctor and she’s blown him off his feet.’

Having been single for so long, Rishi didn’t have a clue how to start a relationship with Manpreet and even encouraged Jai to date her daughter so he could get to know the GP better.

‘I think the older people get, the more childlike they can become about this sort of thing,’ says Bhasker. ‘Rishi set up his own business empire, so he’s no idiot, but now he’s gone gaga about this lady who he’s very serious about and is nervous things will go wrong.’

Even so, it hasn’t gone badly so far, and this week the pair will spend the night together. But afterwards Rishi is racked with insecurity, and runs out on Manpreet. ‘Rishi becomes like a teenager, thinking, “God, I’ve ruined it,” and leaves without even waiting to talk to Manpreet,’ says Bhasker.

Rishi is in the pub when Manpreet finds him. ‘Rather than saying, “How dare you leave me in your room with your son in the house,” Manpreet reassures Rishi that nothing went wrong and she had the best time,’ says Bhasker. ‘That understanding and compassion is what Rishi has missed while

single, and makes him realise she’s the right lady for him.’

Bhasker loves the way Emmerdale has good plotlines for older characters like Rishi and Manpreet. ‘It’s great that it gives older actors stories, like Rishi falling in love and making a fool of himself.’ So, could Rishi and Manpreet have a future – and maybe even get married? ‘I’d love it,’ says Bhasker. ‘I might have a word with the writers!’

Bhasker, who was born in Uganda to Indian parents but moved to London aged 17, became an actor after

taking elocution lessons to improve his English. Past roles included Dr Singh in Only Fools And Horses. When Emmerdale came calling in 2011, Bhasker was thrilled. ‘It felt like I’d won the lottery!’ he says.

Now he’s 62, does Bhasker, who lives in West Sussex with his wife and two teenage daughters, plan to slow down? ‘You must be joking,’ he laughs. ‘I’ll still be acting on my last day – I love it. And I love being in Emmerdale. I’m so proud of what we do.’