His death was announced by Emmerdale series producer Kate Oates, who said: 'Richard's death is a sad loss to
Emmerdale, of which he was at the heart for so many wonderful years.
Sadness: Emmerdale actor Richard Thorp, who played Alan Turner, has died aged 81
Emmerdale's longest-serving castmember Richard Thorp dies aged 81
Emmerdale's longest serving castmember Richard Thorp has died. He was 81.
The actor, who played pensioner Alan Turner in the ITV soap, passed away in Leeds.
'Richard had a brilliant sense of humour and he will be missed by every
single member of our production whose lives he touched.'
Among
those to pay tribute on Twitter were former co-star Danny Miller, who
tweeted: 'Devastating news to hear about the legend #RichardThorp a
legend and a true gentlemen, he will be missed dearly! A friend to
everyone...'
Adam Thomas,
who plays Adam Barton, added: 'Wow so lucky I got to work with such a
gentlemen... always smiling on set telling me jokes haha u will be
missed big man RIP x.'
A statement from ITV read: '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.
Not taking things easy: Richard, pictured in 2010, refused to retire and carried on working on Emmerdale until recently
'Richard was a true professional and a complete gentleman. His charm, wit and effortless grace will be sorely missed.'
The Surrey-born actor had been a regular face on the Yorkshire-based soap since his first appearance on March 23 1982.
His
character Alan - father of Steph (Lorraine Chase) and Terrence (Nick
Brimble) - was originally played as a boozing and womanising manager of
Home Farm.
Familiar face: Richard in a 2003 scene from
Emmerdale with on-screen daughter Steph (Lorraine Chase) and Marlon
Dingle (Mark Charnock)
From 1991 until 1999, Alan was landlord of the Woolpacks. However, after retiring, he had appeared to settle down.
His
character still features in occasional episodes of Emmerdale, so no
doubt producers will find a way to address Alan's departure from the
village.
In 2009, he took a break from the show to have surgery on his knee, returning the following year.
In
2010, he complained he hadn't been given many storylines: 'I ought to
have regrets about staying, but I'm the laziest human being alive so I
don't.
Primetime star: Richard as Doug Randall in Crossroads in 1975 (left) and Dr Rennie in Emmerdale in Emergency Ward 10 in 1975
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