Emmerdale veteran Richard Thorp passes away

Emmerdale veteran Richard Thorp has died at the age of 81.

The actor made his first appearance as Alan Turner in the soap in March 1982 and following the death of Clive Hornby, who played Jack Sugden, in 2008, became the rural saga’s longest serving cast member.

“Richard’s death is a sad loss to Emmerdale, of which he was at the heart for so many wonderful years. Richard had a brilliant sense of humour and he will be missed by every single member of our production whose lives he touched.” – Emmerdale Producer, Kate Oates

Prior to joining Emmerdale, Thorp had roles in Emergency Ward 10, Crossroads and casualty drama 24 Hour Call as well as starring in the 1955 film The Dam Busters and 1957’s The Barretts of Wimpole Street.  In July 1962 he was part of the first British picture to be sent via satellite to America by the BBC. Thorp, photographed with model Chloe Brown, was used as a image testcard and sent via satellite from Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall to the USA.

It was 1959 when Thorp made his first appearance in Emergency Ward 10 as heartthrob Doctor Rennie, his popularity lead to his own spin-off series, Call Oxbridge 2000 which ran for a year, and ended when ATV staff went on strike. He continued with ATV, when he joined Crossroads as sailor Doug Randall and later joined the cast of daytime period saga The Cedar Tree. It was however his role in Emmerdale that he’ll be best remembered for.

Initially introduced as a villainous character, over the years Turner mellowed and became a pillar of the Emmerdale community including a spell as the landlord of the village centre point – The Woolpack Inn.

A statement on Emmerdale‘s official website reads:

“On behalf of the cast, crew and production team at Emmerdale we are  extremely sad to hear of Richard’s death. A pillar of the show, he will be  greatly missed around the Emmerdale studios, but will forever live on  in all the wonderful memories we all have of him. Richard was a true  professional and a complete gentleman. His charm, wit and effortless grace will  be sorely missed.”

Thorp’s family have requested privacy following his passing. Below is the ITV Yorkshire tribute.

Richard Thorp 1932-2013