Home / Arts and Entertainment / Emmerdale Star Eric Allan Dies at 85
Emmerdale Star Eric Allan Dies at 85
3 Mar
Summary
- Actor Eric Allan, known for Emmerdale and The Archers, has died.
- He played Frank Blakey in early Emmerdale and farmer Bert Fry for 25 years.
- Allan also had roles in film and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Veteran actor Eric Allan, celebrated for his portrayal of Frank Blakey in the initial seasons of Emmerdale (then Emmerdale Farm), has passed away at the age of 85. Allan was a familiar face in British television and theatre for many years.
Following his departure from Emmerdale in 1974, where his character was part of the soap's first wedding, Allan achieved further recognition. He became widely known as a soap opera veteran for his quarter-century performance as farmer Bert Fry in the popular Radio 4 drama, The Archers.
His extensive acting credits also include a role in the film Bleak Moments and appearances in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series. Allan began his theatrical career in Leicester and Nottingham before joining the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.
Born in 1940, Allan grew up in Yorkshire and Wolverhampton. His family relocated to Canada when he was 15, but he returned to the UK at 18 to study at the renowned RADA drama school.
