Emmerdale and The Archers veteran actor Eric Allan has passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a remarkable 48-year career in television and radio. Allan's journey began in the early days of Emmerdale, playing the beloved blacksmith Frank Blakey in 1972, when the show was still known as Emmerdale Farm. His character's memorable storyline included the show's first-ever wedding to Janie Harker (played by Diane Grayson), after which he left the series in January 1974. Frank's rebellious nature caused quite a stir in the village, as he opposed hunting and refused to shoe horses used in the local hunt. Allan's talent extended beyond Emmerdale, as he also portrayed farmer Bert Fry on BBC Radio 4's The Archers for an impressive 25 years. His other notable TV roles include playing tabloid sports editor opposite David Warner in the BBC series Hold the Back Page in 1985 and starring as Les Fox, one of Bet Lynch's boyfriends in Coronation Street in 1977. He also made guest appearances in Z Cars, The New Avengers, Bergerac, The Bill, and EastEnders. Born in 1940 to a soldier-turned-headmaster father and a midwife mother, Allan's early life was spent in Yorkshire, before his family moved to Canada and later back to the UK, where he studied at RADA. His career took him through Leicester and Nottingham theatres, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and a feature film titled Bleak Moments, which received mixed reviews but was praised by The Guardian for its originality. Allan's final performance in The Archers was in February 2020, and he retired shortly after, with his character, Bert, passing away off-microphone the following year. Allan is survived by his wife, Susan, whom he married in 1963, and their son and daughter. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that entertained and captivated audiences for decades.
