Richard Thorp

Richard Stanley Thorp (2 January 1932 – 22 May 2013)[1] was an English actor. He was best known for his 30-year tenure portraying Alan Turner in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 1982 to 2013. He also appeared in films such as The Dam Busters (1955) and The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957).

Richard Thorp
Publicity picture of Thorp
Born
Richard Stanley Thorp

(1932-01-02)2 January 1932
Purley, Surrey, England, UK
Died22 May 2013(2013-05-22) (aged 81)
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, UK
OccupationActor
Years active1949–2013
Known forRole of Alan Turner in Emmerdale (1982–2013)

Early life

Thorp was born in Purley, Surrey.[1]

Career

Thorp's leading television roles included Dr. John Rennie in Emergency – Ward 10 from 1957 to 1961, and Doug Randall in Crossroads in 1975. He also appeared in a 1982 episode of Strangers. He was the longest-serving member of Emmerdale since the death of Clive Hornby in 2008.[2] While he was happy to stay in the role of Alan Turner for so long, he complained that his character was not used as much any more.[3]

Thorp appeared as Lovejoy, a British Railways official, in an episode of To the Manor Born centred on the proposed closure of the local railway station.[4] He also appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.[5]

Personal life

Thorp was one of Emmerdale's most private actors, although he gave an interview in 1995 with The People and revealed that he was separated from his wife, but they still lived in the same house together. Thorp was very good friends with Lorraine Chase, who played his Emmerdale daughter, and Sheree Murphy, who played his Emmerdale granddaughter.

Thorp took a break from Emmerdale in July 2009 after undergoing a knee operation and returned in April 2010.[6]

Death

Thorp died in Shrewsbury on 22 May 2013.[2] Emmerdale producer Kate Oates stated: "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."[2]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1949 Melody in the Dark Dick
1955 The Dam Busters Squadron Leader Henry Maudslay
1957 The Barretts of Wimpole Street Alfred Barrett
There's Always a Thursday Dennis Potter
The Good Companions David
1960 The Last Train Sergeant Hall Short film
1962 The Iron Maiden Harry Markham
1963 Mystery Submarine Lt. Chatterton
Lancelot and Guinevere Sir Gareth
Bitter Harvest Rex
1972 Suburban Wives Sarah's Husband
1982 Strangers Det. Sgt. Jacklin
1982–2013 Emmerdale Alan Turner 2671 episodes (final appearance)
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References
  1. "Richard Thorp: Actor best known as reformed character Alan Turner in 'Emmerdale'". The Independent. London. 23 May 2013.
  2. "Richard Thorp, Emmerdale's longest-serving actor, dies". The Independent. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  3. Love, Ryan (17 August 2010). "Thorp: 'I'm too lazy to leave Emmerdale'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  4. "To the Manor Born: Station Closing". IMDb. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  5. Lily Savage's Blankety Blank. 11 March 2001. ITV.
  6. "Richard Thorp returns to Dales filming". Digital Spy. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 26 May 2020.


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