Emmerdale and The Archers veteran actor Eric Allan has passed away at 85, leaving behind a remarkable 48-year career in television and radio. Allan's journey began in 1972, playing the iconic blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of Emmerdale Farm. His character's memorable storyline included the show's first-ever wedding to Janie Harker (Diane Grayson), after which he left 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 spent 25 years playing farmer Bert Fry on BBC Radio 4's The Archers, a role he took over from Roger Hume in 1997. Bert's character provided much-needed light relief in the show's storylines, as noted by Allan in 2021. His final appearance in The Archers was in February 2020, and Bert's passing followed a year later, off-microphone. One of Bert's most memorable performances was in 2015, when his wife, Freda, died in the great Ambridge flood. Freda, the cook at the local pub, The Bull, was never heard in the show, but Allan's portrayal of her presence was exceptional, as he described it as a strong emotional connection rather than a visual image. Born in 1940 to a soldier-turned-headmaster father and a midwife mother, Allan's acting career began in Yorkshire, before his family moved to Canada and he returned to the UK at 18 to study at RADA. He honed his craft at Leicester and Nottingham theatres, later joining the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he worked with director Mike Leigh on his first feature film, 'Bleak Moments'. The film, based on a stage play, divided critics but was praised by The Guardian for its originality. Allan's other notable TV roles include playing tabloid sports editor opposite David Warner in 'Hold the Back Page' (1985) and starring as Les Fox, one of Bet Lynch's boyfriends in 'Coronation Street' (1977). He also appeared in various guest roles in 'Z Cars', 'The New Avengers', 'Bergerac', 'The Bill', and 'EastEnders'. Allan's passing on February 8, as reported by The Telegraph, marks the end of a remarkable acting career that spanned decades and left an indelible mark on British television and radio.
