Alan Turner (Emmerdale)

Last updated

Alan Turner
Emmerdale character
AlanTurner.jpg
Portrayed by Richard Thorp
Duration1982–2013
First appearance18 March 1982
Last appearance4 June 2013
Classification Former; regular
Introduced byAnne Gibbons
In-universe information
OccupationBusinessman (until 1999)
Estate manager (1982–1990)
Barman (1990–1991)
Pub landlord (1991–1999)
Retired (1999–2013)
BrothersWilliam Turner
WifeJill Turner (backstory)
Shirley Turner (1994)
Sons Terence Turner
Daughters Steph Stokes
Granddaughters Tricia Dingle

Alan Turner is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale , played by Richard Thorp. He debuted on-screen on 23 March 1982. Thorp died on 22 May 2013 and the last scenes that Thorp filmed as Alan were aired on 4 June 2013 in a special hour-long episode dedicated to him. [1] It was announced on 12 September 2013 that Alan would be killed off-screen in late October with his daughter Steph (Lorraine Chase) returning for his funeral. Alan died in his sleep on 24 October 2013. [2]

Contents

Casting

Thorp took a break from filming in 2009 due to health issues before returning to filming in March 2010. [3] In 2010 Thorp, commented on his tenure in the show, saying, "I ought to have regrets about staying, but I'm the laziest human being alive so I don't". He added, "there was no point in me moving on because I wasn't good enough!" Thorp went on to bemoan the lack of storylines for Alan: "I would hate to leave, but I wish they'd find more for me to do". He added that he had suggested that "Turner get a love interest" but that the writers had refused, saying "they'd have to dig her up". [4] In 2010, Thorp commented on his role, saying that Emmerdale had been "very good to me and has renewed my contracts for years, but they have not got as much work for me these days – I'm more like the village memorial now than an active character". [5]

Characterisation

Alan used to be an inept, boozing and bullying manager for NY Estates at Home Farm, but has mellowed out over the years and is now an important member of the community. However he still likes to be in charge and has a tendency to be bossy. You're most likely to see him in the Woolpack putting the world to rights.

—  itv.com on Alan. [6]

What's on TV profiled Alan as a "boozer and womaniser in his younger years, Alan Turner has mellowed with age and become a stalwart of the community". [7]

Storylines

Alan moved to the Emmerdale village in 1982. Alan and Jill ended their marriage in 1985. Alan spent his early years in the village doing business deals and working on the local council. He worked as an estate manager for NY Estates, having a rival in Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines), who later got his job. Alan finds himself outwitted by NY Estates' gamekeeper Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) on several occasions.

Alan and Caroline Bates (Diana Davies) start dating when she becomes his secretary at NY Estates in 1984. The couple plan to marry in 1989, but Caroline leaves the village to care for her ailing mother, Alice Wood (Olivia Jardith). Alan becomes landlord of the Woolpack following Amos Brearly's decision to retire in January 1991. Alan married Shirley Foster (Rachel Davies) on 10 February 1994. Four months later, on 7 June 1994, Shirley is shot by Reg Dawson (Niven Boyd) during a siege at Home Farm, and she dies. In 1998, Alan's granddaughter, Tricia Stokes (Sheree Murphy), arrives in the village, and they form a close relationship. Steph, Alan's daughter and Tricia's mother, arrives in the village in 2002. Steph and Alan have several disagreements, but are united by their grief for Tricia after she is killed in a storm.

Alan and Shelley Williams (Carolyn Pickles), Steph's best friend, start dating but Steph is not happy about having a rival for Alan's attention and voices her disapproval but the relationship continued and they began making plans to move to Spain. Steph lies that Shelley only wants Alan's money so Shelley left, leading Alan to begin drinking heavily. Alan and Steph argue on the B&B stairs before Alan falls down them and Steph looks after him but drugs him, leaving him at her mercy, as she plans to sell Alan's business and put him into sheltered accommodation. Alan realises what Steph is doing and manages to tell his neighbours, leading Steph to almost kill them both by driving to a quarry edge. However, she cannot go through with it, and her scheming is revealed.

Shelley disappears, and Steph is suspected of murdering her; Alan accepts that Shelley is dead, only for her to attend the memorial service. Although horrified that Shelley had let Steph go to prison for suspected murder, he forgives her, and they try to rebuild their relationship but Shelley could not cope with Steph being around, and Shelley leaves the village. Steph consequently goes after Shelly to bring her home. On the ferry, Steph and Shelley argue, leading Shelley to fall overboard. Steph leaves her to drown, and returns to the village. Steph's relationship with Alan strengthens, and he allows her to take over the B&B again.

Steph falls in love with local doctor Adam Forsythe (Richard Shelton). Steph tells Alan she was sexually abused by her older brother, Terence, when she was a child. Incensed, Alan dismisses her claims and resumes contact with his estranged son. Alan turns against Steph, Adam and Betty Eagleton (Paula Tilbrook), before moving into Holdgate Farm with Terence.

Soon after this, Terence admits to abusing Steph, so Alan throws Terence out. However, Terence returns to torment Steph, leading to a fight between Terence and Adam, which results in Terence's death. Although Adam takes her on holiday and they get married, the murder weighs on Steph's sanity, upsetting Alan when Adam has her sectioned.

Despite her confessing to playing a part in Terence's murder, Adam tells Alan that Steph's confession is a lie attributable to her state of mind, but Alan feels that Steph is telling the truth. Adam leaves when Steph is released from hospital and Terence's body is found. With Adam gone, Steph is charged with her brother's murder, and Alan is desperate to get Steph out of prison, as he fears she cannot cope.

Steph confesses to Alan that she played a part in Shelley's death and is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her brother. Following Steph's imprisonment and Terence's cremation, Alan wants answers, and visits Adam in prison. Alan is shocked when Adam's ex-wife Isla (Sarah Griffiths) tells him Adam has hanged himself.

Feeling low, Alan seeks comfort from Betty, clumsily making a pass at her. Alan is embarrassed when she rejects him. In December 2006, Alan decides to visit Kathy Brookman (Malandra Burrows) in Australia and stays there over Christmas. Alan returns to the village, living with Betty and Sandy Thomas (Freddie Jones). In early 2008, Alan visits Kathy again. Upon his return, he shares a kiss with Pearl Ladderbanks (Meg Johnson). David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden) asks Alan to run for the Council in opposition to Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell). Alan has no desire to return to politics, but advises David in his candidacy. David wins, but soon disappoints Alan, due to the lack of attention he gives to his duties.

Alan's friend, Eddy Fox (Paul Darrow), arrives in the village, asking him to go travelling with him. Alan is reluctant to go, but Lily Butterfield (Anne Charleston), goes instead. Alan joins them later, and is away for a period of seven months.

In December 2010, Val Pollard (Charlie Hardwick) asks Alan about the events surrounding Eric's second wife Elizabeth's (Kate Dove) death 17 years earlier, in the plane crash, after her son Michael Feldmann (Matthew Vaughan) accuses Eric of murdering her and covering it up through the crash. Alan tells Val that there had been a lot of suspicion about Eric in the aftermath of the plane crash.

In January 2011, Alan and Betty temporarily move into Mill Cottage after a fire, started by Nick Henshall (Michael McKell), damages their home. Alan and Betty move back in once their house is renovated. For Alan's 76th birthday on 5 August 2011, he is touched by the replacement watch his friends buy him after his stops working.

In March 2012, Alan, having once run Home Farm and been a councillor, has doubts about the village festival planned by Home Farm owner Declan Macey (Jason Merrells) for the summer and raised his concerns to him. At the end of the month, he shares his war experiences with Sean Spencer (Luke Roskell), who is doing a school project. He welcomes fellow housemate Betty home when she returns from her cruise in July.

In July 2013, it is explained that Alan has gone travelling around France with his biker friends. In October, Alan returns (off-screen), but when Betty goes to see him, she finds he has died in his sleep. His funeral is held on 30 October, and Steph returns under police guard to attend. Alan is mentioned in May 2015 when Betty says to Pearl that without Seth or Alan, life in the village would never be the same. In June 2017, Zak visits Alan's grave and tidies it up.

Reception

In 1999, Thomas Quinn of the Daily Mirror felt Alan was deceiving himself thinking he was going to marry Stella (Stephanie Schonfield) as "she's rich and beautiful while he's poor, fat, old and boring". [8] In 2002, Alan was named as one of "The 30 greatest Emmerdale residents" by a writer for Inside Soap . [9] They said "Roly-poly Alan was originally a ruthless businessman hated by all, now he's a cuddly landlord, swapping the boardroom for the bedrooms of the B&B he runs." [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty Eagleton</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Betty Eagleton is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Paula Tilbrook. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 12 April 1994. Betty is characterised as the village gossip who is kind hearted, fun, adventurous and enjoys a sherry. Tilbrook was initially cast for three episodes and the character was introduced as the wartime girlfriend of Seth Armstrong. Upon her arrival, the characters reconcile and their relationship continues until Seth's death in 2005. Tilbrook retired in 2015 and the character departs in the episode broadcast on 25 May 2015, returning briefly for a cameo appearance in the Christmas episode that year. The character and Tilbrook's performance were widely praised by both viewers and critics alike; Brian Beacom of The Herald labelled her "a national treasure".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paddy Kirk</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Paddy Kirk is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Dominic Brunt. He has been married five times: to Mandy Dingle in 1999 and 2024, to Emily Dingle in 2002, to Rhona Goskirk in 2012 and to Chas Dingle in 2020. He has also had several extramarital affairs since arriving, notably with Viv Hope and Tess Harris. His other storylines in the series have included discovering his biological father and dealing with the loss of his child.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Forsythe</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Adam Forsythe is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He was played by Richard Shelton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terence Turner</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Terence Turner is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Emmerdale, played by actors Stephen Marchant and Nick Brimble.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steph Stokes</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Mary Stephanie "Steph" Stokes is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was played by Lorraine Chase for a period of four years between 2002 and 2006. It was announced on 12 September 2013 that Steph would return for a guest appearance, which she did on 30 October 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Thorp</span> English actor (1932–2013)

Richard Stanley Thorp 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).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelley Williams</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Shelley Williams is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Carolyn Pickles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lily Butterfield</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Lily Butterfield is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Anne Charleston. She made her first appearance on 3 November 2006. Lily is Edna Birch's estranged sister and the biological mother to Edna's son, Peter Birch. Charleston quit her role in April 2009 and the character departed on 3 August 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lizzie Lakely</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Lizzie Lakely is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Kitty McGeever. Lizzie is Emmerdale's first blind character, and was played by a blind actress. She made her first on-screen appearance on 28 April 2009. Lizzie's last appearance was on 28 March 2013. McGeever had health problems, but, in June 2013, producer Kate Oates stated there had been plans for her to return. McGeever died in August 2015, however, without having returned to the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Walsh</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Jackson Walsh is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Marc Silcock. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 March 2010. The character was introduced as a love interest for the established Aaron Livesy, and Jackson became central to Aaron's coming out storyline. Jackson also began interacting with other characters and events in the village and his family were introduced. Jackson was given his own storyline in October 2010 and it saw him become a quadriplegic following a train accident. Jackson subsequently struggles with his situation and he asks Aaron and his mother, Hazel Rhodes, to end his life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holly Barton</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Holly Barton is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Sophie Powles. She made her first on-screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 17 July 2009. Holly was introduced to the soap as part of the Bartons, a new farming family who took over the running of Butler's Farm. Holly was joined by her mother, father and two siblings. The family were described as being "sexy, modern and contemporary" by the show's series producer, Gavin Blyth. Holly departed on 20 June 2012, but Powles later reprised her role and Holly returned on 24 March 2016 for a six-month stint. The character was killed off on 29 September 2016. Powles reprised her role on 20 November 2024 when she appeared in Moira's deam sequence whilst undergoing surgery.

Cheryl Gray (<i>Coronation Street</i>) Soap opera character

Cheryl Gray is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Holly Quin-Ankrah. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing 9 April 2010. Originally introduced as a love interest for an existing character, Cheryl has been involved in storylines involving lapdancing and domestic abuse since her inception. Cheryl's age was tweaked to accommodate the much younger Quin-Ankrah's real age. In May 2011, it was announced the producers had decided not to renew Quin-Ankrah's contract. She departed on-screen on 18 November 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ella Hart</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Ella Hart is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Corrinne Wicks. She made her first on-screen appearance on 17 November 2010. Ella is a businesswoman who is described as "sexy and savvy". She is the ex-wife of Declan Macey and mother of Mia. Wicks was written out of Emmerdale in 2011 and departed on 25 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Windsor</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Donna Windsor is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was originally played by Sophie Jeffery until 1997. Actress Verity Rushworth took over the role in 1998. She made her first appearance in the show on 31 August 1993. Donna departed on 30 January 2009. At the time of her departure, Donna was the third longest running character on Emmerdale. It was announced on 8 January 2014 that Rushworth had decided to reprise her role as Donna for five months. She returned on 19 March 2014 and it was revealed that Donna was terminally ill with lung cancer. Donna committed suicide on 14 August 2014, after throwing herself and Gary North from a multi-storey car park to her death, but made her final appearance the following day, on 15 August 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Wyatt</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Amy Barton is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Natalie Ann Jamieson. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 8 October 2010, played by Chelsea Halfpenny. Since her inception Amy has been central to main storylines and has been played as the serial's rebellious teenager. Halfpenny has said she enjoys playing the character's mischievous side. Amy's unstable upbringing in children's homes and foster care has impacted on her persona. She is a troubled character and protects herself by creating a hard exterior. Amy's biggest fear is embarrassment and she aspires to lead a normal family life with her foster parents Val Pollard and Eric Pollard. As her storylines have developed she has grown close to the pair, yet rebelled at various stages. Charlie Hardwick and Chris Chittell who play Val and Eric have expressed their delight with the positive impact Amy has had on their on-screen family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Carter</span> British soap opera character

Doug Carter is a fictional character from the British soap opera Hollyoaks, played by PJ Brennan. Brennan initially appeared as Doug in the programme's online spin-off series Hollyoaks: Freshers, before his debut in the main show on 13 September 2010. He appeared in 5 episodes before returning on 13 January 2011 as a regular character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ciaran McCarthy</span> Fictional character from British soap opera Coronation Street

Ciaran McCarthy is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Keith Duffy. He made his first on-screen appearance on 7 August 2002, before departing in 2005. He returned in 2010 until Duffy temporary departed in January 2011 to go on Boyzone Tour, and returned on 3 November 2011. Duffy departed the role again on 25 November 2011 due to family commitments. In his duration on the show the character has been at the centre of several romances including relationships with Sunita Alahan, Tracy Barlow and Michelle Connor. Ciaran has been characterised as a ladies' man and a charmer. The character is also known for his "sex symbol" status. Duffy has received nominations at various soap award ceremonies for his portrayal of Ciaran.

References

  1. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (28 May 2013). "'Emmerdale' to dedicate episode to Richard Thorp". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  2. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (12 September 2013). "'Emmerdale' to mark death of Richard Thorp's Alan Turner with funeral". Digital Spy. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (11 March 2010). "Richard Thorp returns to Dales filming". Digital Spy . (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  4. ↑ Love, Ryan (17 August 2010). "Thorp: 'I'm too lazy to leave Emmerdale'". Digital Spy . (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  5. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (25 October 2010). "Thorp moving closer to 'Emmerdale' set". Digital Spy . (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Alan Turner". itv.com . (ITV plc). Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Soaps > Emmerdale > Who's Who > Alan Turner". What's on TV . (IPC Media). Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  8. ↑ Quinn, Thomas (12 August 1999). "L~ast night's view". Daily Mirror . (Trinity Mirror). Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  9. 1 2 "The 30 greatest Emmerdale residents...ever!". Inside Soap (216): 55. 12–25 October 2002.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.