Eric Allan, a familiar face to British television and radio audiences for nearly five decades, has died at the age of 85, his family has confirmed. Allan passed away on February 8, according to reports, leaving behind a legacy forged in long-running roles on Emmerdale and The Archers.
Allan first gained prominence as Frank Blakey in Emmerdale Farm, the original incarnation of the ITV soap opera, in 1972. His portrayal of the blacksmith was central to some of the display’s earliest storylines, including the program’s first-ever wedding to Janie Harker. He continued in the role until 1974.
Later in his career, Allan became a mainstay on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, joining the cast in May 1997 as Bert Fry. He took over the role from Roger Hume, who had died the previous year. Allan inhabited the character of the farmer for 25 years, becoming known for bringing a lighthearted touch to the often-dramatic rural saga. In a 2021 interview, he described Bert as “the character the production team tend to turn to if the storylines are getting too depressing and a bit of light relief is called for.”
Born in 1940, Allan’s path to acting began after a childhood spent in Yorkshire. His father was a soldier who later became a headmaster, and his mother was a midwife. He initially moved to Canada before returning to the UK at the age of 18 to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Before his television and radio success, Allan honed his craft on the stage, performing at theatres in Leicester and Nottingham and spending several years with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His work with director Mike Leigh led to a role in the film Bleak Moments, marking his entry into feature films. Beyond Emmerdale and The Archers, Allan’s television credits included appearances in Z Cars, The New Avengers, Bergerac, The Bill, EastEnders, and a stint as Les Fox, a boyfriend of Bet Lynch in Coronation Street in 1977. He also played a tabloid sports editor opposite David Warner in the BBC series Hold the Back Page in 1985.
Eric Allan is survived by his wife, Susan, whom he married in 1963, and their son, and daughter.