Emmerdale and The Archers star Eric Allan dies aged 85: Actor passes away after 48-year career in television and radio
- Do you have a story? Email tips@dailymail.com
Emmerdale and The Archers star Eric Allan has died at the age of 85.
The actor died in 1972 after a 48-year career in television and radio, in which he played blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of the show when it was still called Emmerdale Farm.
One of his most notable storylines was his marriage to Janie Harker in the series’ first wedding. He later left the series in January 1974.
He also played farmer Bert Fry on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers for 25 years.
Eric is survived by his wife, Susan, whom he married in 1963, as well as their son and daughter.
The actor, who grew up in Yorkshire, was also known for his roles in Gloomy Moments and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Emmerdale and The Archers star Eric Allan dies aged 85
The actor passed away in 1972 after a 48-year career in television and radio, in which he played blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of the series.
After growing up in the north, his family moved to Canada and he returned to England at the age of 18 to study at RADA.
He appeared in Leicester and Nottingham theaters in his early career, before spending several years with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
There he worked with director Mike Leigh when he starred in his first feature film, Bleak Moments.
After Emmerdale, Eric joined The Archers in May 1997, where he took over the role of farmer Bert Fry from Roger Hume, who had died the previous year.
Reflecting on Bert’s career in 2021, Eric said: ‘He’s the character the production team tends to turn to when the stories start to get too depressing and some light relief is needed.’
Eric was born in 1940 to a father who was a soldier and later a school principal, and a mother who was a midwife.
Other notable TV roles included serving as tabloid sports editor alongside David Warner in the BBC series Hold the Back Page in 1985.
He also played Les Fox, one of Bet Lynch’s boyfriends, in Coronation Street in 1977.
Eric is survived by his wife, Susan, whom he married in 1963, as well as their son and daughter.
He also played Les Fox, one of Bet Lynch’s boyfriends, in Coronation Street in 1977.
The actor, who grew up in Yorkshire, was also known for his roles in Bleak Moments and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (seen later).
He also made guest appearances in the TV series Z Cars, The New Avengers, Bergerac, The Bill and EastEnders.
