Eric Allan, who starred in Emmerdale and The Archers, has died at the age of 85.
The actor was born in 1940 and grew up in Yorkshire and Wolverhampton. When he was 15, Eric and his family moved to Canada. He returned to the UK at the age of 18 to study at RADA.
His acting career began in theatres in Leicester and Nottingham. He then spent a number of years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and worked with a director called Mike Leigh in a feature film called Bleak Moments, where he played the lead.
The star portrayed the role of Frank Blakey in the ITV soap in the 70s. Eric featured in the early years of the show when it was called Emmerdale Farm, with his character tying the knot with Janine Harker in the show’s first ever wedding.
He left the role in 1974.
Eric is also known for his role as farmer Bert Fry in BBC Radio 4’s audio drama The Archers. He played this role from 1997-2021.
Eric’s character Bert struggled to settle into retirement. While living at Brookfield Bungalow, he always liked to lend a helping hand, and enjoyed entertaining baby Rosie, and creating the Fairbrothers’ vision of an egg-mobile.
Bert was supported by wife Freda, who died in 2015. After, Bert welcomed Rex and Toby Fairbrother to his house. Toby ended up leaving the home, but Rex stayed with Bert and developed a close relationship with him.
For a brief period in the 70s, Eric appeared in Coronation Street as Les Fox, who went on a date with Bet Lynch.
He’s also featured in The Bill, Heartbeat and Where the Heart Is.
The actor is survived by wife Susan and their two children.
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