Biography of Richard's character 'Alan Turner'

Richard Thorp first appeared in Emmerdale as Alan Turner in 1982 and stayed with the Yorkshire-based soap until his death last month. This is a short biography of his character's time in the programme:

1982 - Alan Turner moves to Beckindale in 1982 when he became Estate Manager for NY Estates.

July 1989 - Alan went into partnership with Caroline Bates when they rented a fish & game farm, hiring Seth Armstrong as gamekeeper.

January 1991 - Alan’s next business venture was when he decided to buy the Woolpack. He took over as landlord from Amos Brearly.

1999 - Alan suffers a mild heart attack and resolves to take life a little easier, selling the pub.

2000 - Alan is the driver of a bus which crashes in the villages, killing several other people and leading to a campaign to make the village road safer.

2001 - Alan takes over the running of The Grange B&B, which he later buys.

2002 - Alan’s daughter Steph Stokes arrives in the village in 2002. Although Tricia is not thrilled to have her mother in the village Alan is glad to see his daughter and tries to make amends after not speaking to her for 20 years.

2003 - Alan strikes up a solid friendship with Steph's friend Shelly who arrives in the village, changing his life for the better.

2004 - Alan's granddaughter Tricia is crushed when part of the Woolpack pub collapsed on her during a terrible storm, which struck the village. Both he and his daughter Steph take her death very badly. Their relationship deteriorates and Steph pushes Alan down the stairs. Later that year Steph drugs her father with sleeping tablets and tries to kill him in a car crash. She is arrested for his attempted murder.

2006 - Alan's son Terence shows up in the village with a dodgy background of child abuse towards his sister which Alan refuses to believe. He gives his son £20,000 but Terence then turns on his father and leaves him bleeding on the floor. Terence's body is later found and Steph is jailed for his murder. Alan goes to Australia.

2007 - Alan returns to the villages and enjoys a relaxed few years in the village, living with his friend Betty. He makes the most of his retirement organising pageants and going on a biking tour of the world as well as enjoying cruises with Betty.