Emmerdale actor Eric Allan has died aged 85 bringing to a close a 48-year career across television, radio and theatre

His cause of death was not revealed but it is presumed to be old age. 

Allan played blacksmith Frank Blakey in the early days of Emmerdale Farm in 1972.

He appeared on-screen during the soap’s formative years before it later became the primetime series known as Emmerdale.

His character was part of the show’s first-ever wedding storyline before he departed in 1974.

He went on to become a familiar voice to radio listeners as farmer Bert Fry in The Archers which was a role he held for around 25 years.

Speaking in 2021 Allan described Bert as a symbol of “continuity and resilience” often bringing light relief to heavy storylines.

Beyond soaps Allan appeared in Bleak Moments and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

He began his career in Leicester and Nottingham theatres before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company where he worked with director Mike Leigh.

Born in 1940 Allan grew up in Yorkshire and Wolverhampton later training at RADA after returning from Canada at 18.

He is survived by his wife Susan and their two children.