Emmerdale enthusiasts have been left utterly astonished by the revelation of actor Bhasker Patel's true age, as he recently commemorated a significant milestone birthday. The performer, best known for his portrayal of the beloved Rishi Sharma on the long-running ITV soap, has sparked widespread disbelief among his fanbase.
A Decade-Long Role and Unexpected Exit
Bhasker Patel first joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2011, taking on the role of Rishi Sharma, the patriarch of the Sharma family. As father to characters Jai, Priya, and Nikhil, played by Chris Bisson, Fiona Wade, and Tarik Makarem respectively, Patel became a fixture in the fictional village of Emmerdale. Over his twelve-year tenure, he was involved in numerous major storylines, endearing himself to viewers.
However, in a dramatic turn of events in 2023, the character of Rishi Sharma was tragically killed off. The storyline saw him fall down a flight of stairs and die alone, having missed his son Jai's wedding. This unexpected departure marked the end of an era for both the actor and the show.
Post-Emmerdale Career Success
Following his exit from the soap, Bhasker Patel's career has flourished impressively. He has appeared in several notable films, including Sky Peals and Sumotherhood, and has taken on roles in television series such as Matopulas and the drama Never Had a Chance. His versatility as an actor has been clearly demonstrated through these diverse projects.
Most recently, Patel achieved a significant professional milestone by making his Broadway debut. He secured a role in the production of Oedipus at the iconic Studio 54 in New York City, where he portrays the character Corin. This achievement underscores his continued relevance and talent in the performing arts.
The Birthday Revelation That Shocked Fans
It was during his time in New York that Bhasker Patel celebrated a major personal milestone: his 70th birthday. Taking to Instagram last week, the actor shared a photograph of himself looking notably different from his clean-shaven Emmerdale character. In the image, he sports a long grey beard and beams at the camera while holding a drink.
In the caption accompanying the post, Patel wrote: "Celebrating my #70thbirthday #birthday on @broadwaycom in New York #newyork #newyorkcity performing two shows at Studio 54 in OEDIPUS since Oct 2025 @oedipusbway with a wonderful cast and folks."
The revelation of his age prompted an immediate and surprised response from his followers. Fans quickly flooded the comments section with birthday wishes, many expressing disbelief at his youthful appearance. One commenter remarked: "There is no way you are 70, 60 maybe. Happy birthday." Another added: "Looking good for 70, happy birthday!" while a third declared: "No way! Happy birthday have the best day gorgeous."
Reflections on His Emmerdale Departure
In a previous interview on Lorraine in 2023, Bhasker Patel opened up about being written out of Emmerdale. He recounted the conversation with the producer, who informed him: "I need to talk to you and we're killing you off because we want a big story and it's going to be a big surprise."
Patel reflected on his time with the show, stating: "Because my 12 years at ITV, they let me do a lot of other work, so I felt a part of ITV, a part of Rishi, but at the same time... I was working in London as well. So when the producer said, 'We're going to kill you off', I was like, 'Okay, that part of my life with this guy is over and I'm going to move on'."
This pragmatic attitude has clearly served him well, as evidenced by his successful transition to new roles and his recent Broadway achievement. Emmerdale continues to air Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX, but for Bhasker Patel, the future holds exciting new chapters beyond the soap opera that made him a household name.
