Eric Allan, Actor Known for The Archers and Emmerdale, Dies at 85
Eric Allan, a prolific character actor celebrated for his portrayals of country folk on British radio and television, has died at the age of 85. He was best known for playing the gentle, poetry-loving farmhand Bert Fry in BBC Radio 4's The Archers for 24 years and the blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of ITV's Emmerdale Farm (later retitled Emmerdale).
Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Allan's career began with a starring role in Mike Leigh's first feature film, Bleak Moments (1971), where he played Peter, a socially awkward teacher. He joined Emmerdale Farm in December 1972, just two months after the soap's launch. As Frank Blakey, he rented the village forge and, in 1973, married Janie Harker (played by Diane Grayson), giving the serial its first wedding with Jack Sugden (Andrew Burt) as best man.
Frank's character was notable for his opposition to hunting, which made him unpopular with some locals. When threatened with eviction, the fictional Hotten Courier ran a story with the headline: "Anti-blood sport blacksmith victimised by landlord." Frank left for Essex with Janie in 1974 after being offered a teaching post.
Iconic Role in The Archers
In 1997, Allan took over the role of Bert Fry in The Archers from Roger Hume, who had died the previous year. Bert worked for Phil Archer at Brookfield Farm, later taken over by Phil's son, David, and daughter-in-law, Ruth. With a love for old-fashioned country values, Bert participated in local events like ploughing contests, wrote poetry, and recited folklore, providing light relief in the fictional village of Ambridge.
"He's 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," Allan once said. Bert's wife, Freda, was a "silent" character, never heard but celebrated for her cooking. When she died in the 2015 village flood, Bert wrote a heartfelt poem in her honour. Bert himself died peacefully in the Bull pub in 2021, falling asleep after a game of cribbage, marking Allan's retirement from acting.
Personal Life and Legacy
Born in South Tidworth, Wiltshire, Allan was raised in Keighley, Yorkshire, and Wolverhampton before his family emigrated to Canada in 1955. He returned to Britain to train at RADA (1960-63) and acted with repertory companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company. He worked with Mike Leigh on multiple theatre productions and TV and radio projects.
Allan's television credits include roles in Coronation Street (1977), The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984), and the BBC series Hold the Back Page (1985). He is survived by his wife, Susan, their two children, and five grandsons. Eric Allan's contributions to British drama, particularly through his enduring roles in The Archers and Emmerdale, have left a lasting impact on audiences and the acting community.
