Emmerdale and The Archers star Eric Allan has died at 85 after a 48-year career
Eric Allan played the part of blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early years of Emmerdale Farm.
Actor Eric Allan, who has died at 85, will be best remembered for playing Frank Blakey in the early years of Emmerdale Farm, he also played the part of farmer Bert Fry in The Archers.
When it came to Eric Allan’s character Frank Blakey in the then Emmerdale Farm, he was known as a controversial figure who opposed hunting, in the soap he married his fiancée Janie Harker who was played by Diane Grayson, his best man was Jack Sugden, played by Andrew Burt.
Emmerdale Farm dropped the Farm from its original name on November 14, 1989. Eric Allan left the soap in 1974 and joined the cast of The Archers in 1997 as Bert Fry. Eric Allan starred as Bert Fry until 2021.
The Telegraph reported that Eric Allan said in 2021 of his character Bert Fry that “His was a handmade world: make do and mend, cobble it up with baling twine, keep stuff for a rainy day,” and also said: “I always imagined he still had the suit he was married in, 60 years ago. Continuity and resilience were all.”
Although Eric Allan grew up in Yorkshire and Wolverhampton, he moved with his family to Canada when he was 15, but returned to the UK to study at RADA when he was 18. He married his wife Susan in 1963 and he is survived by her and their two children.
As well as starring in Emmerdale and The Archers, Eric Allan also worked alongside director Mike Leigh with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He played the lead role Peter in Mike Leigh’s directorial debut Bleak Moments which was about the dysfunctional life of a young secretary.
In July 2025, Coronation Street and Emmerdale star Tony Peers died at 78. His company shared the news of his death and wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Scarborough showbiz legend Tony Peers has taken his final bow.
“Our wonderful producer, manager and friend sadly fell asleep for the last time in the early hours of this morning.
“All at Tony Peers Limited are devastated by this news and in Tony’s words ‘the show must go on.’
“We will be continuing to lead all future productions and keeping Tony’s pantomime legacy alive across the country for years to come.”