EastEnders fans have been left gobsmacked after spotting a soap baddie in an iconic noughties comedy.

Pastor Clayton, played by Howard Saddler, rocked up to Walford in December last year as the square’s local church leader. But things took a harrowing turn when he sexually assaulted Yolande Trueman (Angela Wynter).

Prior to that, Pastor Clayton had been making inappropriate advances towards Yolande for some time. And when he brought it up, he shut her down while gaslighting her in the process.

Yolande’s assault took place during an hour-long-episode of the soap. Throughout the second half special, it was revealed Pastor Clayton had a history of abusing women.

Following the assault, Yolande reflected on what had happened to her. But viewers were transported to different years and time periods – there, the different women told their stories.

Sadly though, the women he abused in the past were not believed when they confided in someone. Following the assault, Yolande was left devastated – with the ordeal having an affect on her mental health.

EastEnders
Fans have spotted the actor in an iconic noughties comedy (Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
She confided in Patrick who vowed to make Pastor Clayton pay. The pair then reported the assault to Levi, the church leader. But in episodes this week, it was revealed that Levi has gone AWOL.

Prior to his EastEnders stint though, Pastor Clayton actor Howard Saddler starred in the likes of Footballers Wives and Holly City, as well as Brummie soap Doctors.

EastEnders
He played Oliver in The Office
And in a recent Reddit thread, fans unearthed his appearance from the iconic noughties comedy, The Office. He appeared as Oliver in eight episodes of The Office. The fan penned: “Okay. Mind blown. I knew he looked familiar … but JEEZ took me a while.

“Watching old THE OFFICE highlights… Pastor Clayton had a very dull job prior,” they added alongside a shot of Howard Saddler on the show. Other fans we left just as stunned, with one writing: “No way! He starred in the Office?”

Someone else added: “I had the same thought in the back of my mind, that he seemed oddly familiar. My husband who doesn’t follow EE just glanced over one day and said “that’s the guy from The Office”. So weird to think that’s him!”