How did Rishi die in Emmerdale? Tragic cause of death 'sealed ...

Emmerdale's Rishi Sharma died on the soap in shocking scenes on Thursday night, leaving viewers reeling. Many fans shared their heartache for the character, as they had no idea actorBhasker Patel was leaving the ITV soap after 12 years.

Rishi's family had no idea of the tragedy coming their way, as his son Jai Sharma celebrated his wedding to Laurel Thomas. But as the episode ended, the camera panned to Rishi who was laying dead at the foot of the stairs of his home.

The fallout was teased for Friday night in a clip, with Jai Sharma discovering his dad's body after looking for him the next morning.

More details on the death are soon to be revealed, as his family process their loss. But how exactly did Rishi die and what happened to him?

It's not yet been confirmed, while it is assumed he may have fallen down the stairs or suffered a health issue. Rishi's body was shown lying at the bottom of the stairs.

Fans know from the fact he was wearing a suit that he was on his way to Jai's wedding, after being asked to go there amid a family row.

Viewers last saw Rishi alive when he was sat in his room wondering whether or not to attend, after he received a voicemail from his ex-wife Georgia telling him to go.

The next time fans saw Rishi he was dead, so did he tragically slip down the stairs on his way to the reception? Some fans think so, believing this will be revealed as his cause of death.

Other viewers recalled Rishi's past health issues, with him suffering a heart attack on the show in the past. His health issues have been revisited over the years.

Given the stress he was under keeping the secret about Jai's real father and then finally telling him this week, leading to a blazing family row, some viewers believe he may have suffered a heart attack. One viewer suggested Rishi was holding his arm earlier in the episode, which could have been a sign of a heart attack or stroke.

Taking to Twitter, one viewer theorised: "I reckon he had a heart attack and fell down the stairs." Another agreed: "I bet Rishi has had a heart attack and fallen down the stairs."

A third viewer said: "I'm convinced Rishi has had a heart attack at home alone that's the reason he didn't turn up at the church." Another fan commented: "I hope he wasn't pushed, murdered."

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.