Lorraine Chase to return to Emmerdale for Alan's funeral

Lorraine Chase will return to Emmerdale for the funeral of her on-screen father, pub landlord Alan Turner.

The death of veteran Emmerdale actor Richard Thorp will be reflected in a storyline that will see the fictional village come together for Alan's funeral.

Richard, who appeared in the rural ITV soap for more than 30 years, died in May aged 81.

The storyline, which was developed after consultation with the actor's family, will see his character peacefully pass away before an on-screen funeral in October.

Lorraine, who played his daughter Steph Stokes, will make a one-off return to Emmerdale for the storyline.

Viewers will see her character, who is currently in prison for a murder she did not commit, escorted back to the village by prison guards.

She said: "I was devastated when l heard the news that my dear friend, Richard Thorp had died. He was a wonderful, joyous man, a great actor, and l felt privileged to have worked with him so closely.

"When Emmerdale rang me to ask if l would consider coming back to guest at his character Alan, my on-screen dad's funeral, I was overjoyed, I just wish with all my heart that the circumstances were different."

Emmerdale's producer Kate Oates said: "Alan Turner was so important to Emmerdale and we felt it was right to give his character a proper send off. It will be emotional as both the character and Richard are sorely missed and will be for a long time to come."

Richard, who made his first appearance on the show in 1982, had a lengthy career including roles in film and television such as the classic 1955 film The Dam Busters.

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.