Curtain comes down on 64 year acting career

Richard Thorp who has died at the age of 81 had an acting career spanning more than 60 years.

Although best known for his role as Alan Turner in the ITV Yorkshire soap Emmerdale he appeared in such British films as The Dambusters and The Barrets of Wimpole Street.

Prior to joining Emmerdale in 1982 - he was the soap's longest-serving cast member - his previous TV roles included Dr John Rennie in Emergency ward 10, Doug Randall in Crossroads and Det Sgt. Jacklin in Strangers.

Surrey-born Richard had a break from Emmerdale in July 2009 to have his right knee replaced. He returned to the soap , which is filmed in and around Leeds, in April 2010.