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Actor Bhasker Patel is best known for playing larger than life personality Rishi Sharma on ITV soap Emmerdale.
However, the actor has left the role after 12 years following the shock death of his character on Thursday (July 29).
He has been playing Rishi since 2011 and led a series of dramatic storylines along the way, including being accused of sexism and his factory deal with ruthless Kim Tate. (Claire King.
READ MORE: Emmerdale legend killed off after 12 years as ITV soap airs unexpected death
Outside of the soap the actor often shows off his stunning family on Instagram and recently announced his role in a campaign to raise awareness for male sexual assault.
As his acting career goes from strength to strength, let’s take a look at the star’s life off-screen..
Real age
Despite playing the 71-year-old grandfather five Rishi on the ITV soap, fans may be surprised to learn that the actor is only 66 in real life.
Born on February 7 1956 in Kampala, Uganda, actor Bhasker Patel has an interesting past having moved with his family within the British Empire, including Africa, to establish businesses.
In 1962, due to the end of British rule, Bhasker along with his mother and four sisters moved back to India to his ancestral home of Gujarat in Western India.
Bhakser moved to London with his family when he was 17 when he began his career in acting.
He even appeared in rival soap Coronation Street in 2004.
Stunning daughters
Often sharing insights into his glamorous life with his 18k Instagram followers, the proud dad showed off his beautiful daughters and was met with praise from his fans.
He recently attended the graduation ceremony of his daughter, Maya, after she completed her BA in painting at Camberwell College of Arts where he posted a glam snap of her in her cap and gown.
He gushed: “So proud of our beautiful daughter Maya @mayamayjex celebrating her #graduation #ceremony @royalfestivalhall from #ualcamberwell #ual in #fineart,” followed by several love heart emojis.
He also posted shared an intimate snap of his other stunning daughter Kiri when she graduated with a distinction in Musical Theatre.
“Tears of joy today for my daughter Kiri achieving such amazing exam results after such an incredibly difficult year. So proud of you, a distinction in Music is something to be very proud of.
"Time for a long overdue new chapter, studying Musical Theatre. Enjoy every moment!” he gushed.
Charity work
The Emmerdale star led a campaign back in February to raise awareness for male sexual assault when he partnered up with charity SurvivorsUK.
The charity works to help boys and men who have been sexually abused, and the soap star is documenting the story of a man experiencing abuse in a new film called SAFE.
The film has been created by award-winning director Dan Lowenstein and follows three men at different stages of their lives, sharing the same story of abuse.
Bhasker is joined by actors Vic Zander, who has appeared in Emmerdale and Isaac Money, who appeared in award-winning film Cat Skin.
Meka Beresford, Digital Communications Officer at SurvivorsUK, said: “Dan truly poured his heart and soul into creating a film that accurately depicts the experiences of so many survivors of sexual abuse.
"We hope this film will go far in helping people to understand the impact that sexual violence can have on men, whilst also highlighting that support services like SurvivorsUK exist.
"Whenever sexual violence features in the media, and particularly in powerful films like this, it can empower people to come forward to speak out about their experiences and seek support.
"We hope that anyone seeing this video during Sexual Violence Awareness Week and beyond will feel less alone in their experience and empowered to speak out.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
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- Emmerdale
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