Just watched him a few minutes ago on Emmerdale, in a scene with Paula Tilbrook. Sorry to see the old fellow go. It’s lovely on the U.K. soaps, that so many of the long-serving actors still get screen time. Eighty-five year old Freddie Jones had a cracking good front-burner story recently. You’ll not find much of that on TV in the States. RIP. Will miss ye at the Woollie, Alan.

Actor Richard Thorp, best known for his role as Alan Turner in ITV’s Yorkshire-based soap Emmerdale, has died aged 81.

Thorp played Alan Turner, the womanising manager of Home Farm and landlord of the Woolpack pub, since joining in 1982, making him the longest-serving actor in the serial. Thorp took a leave of absence from filming Emmerdale in 2010 following knee surgery. Since then he has played a minor role, but will continue to be seen on screen in previously recorded episodes, including Thursday’s in which he takes part in a fundraiser storyline at the Woolpack.

via Richard Thorp, Emmerdale’s Alan Turner, dies aged 81 – Telegraph.