Real life of Emmerdale's Eric Pollard actor Chris Chittell - real age, pre-soap career and marriage to co-star
04.11.2023 - 08:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
There were tears in Emmerdale this week as Eric Pollard revealed his devastating diagnosis. The character, played by actor Chris Chittell, was seen breaking down to Mandy Dingle as he told her he has Parkinson's disease.
Viewers learned during the episode that Eric, played by Emmerdale's longest-serving cast member Chris Chittell, has been diagnosed with the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.
In emotional scenes, Eric tearfully confided in Mandy, played by Lisa Riley, about what he had been going through recently, and how terrified he was feeling as he looked to his future. But despite his emotional state, Pollard swore Mandy to secrecy, determined to go it alone.
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The news comes after Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw teased a big health storyline which she likened to that of Ashely Thomas' dementia diagnosis. And similar to that, with no current cure for Parkinson's, fans will likely see an exit for Pollard - and actor Chris - but when will remain to be seen as most people with Parkinson's disease now have a normal or near-normal life expectancy according to the NHS.
Chris said of his new storyline: "I feel really privileged to be given this storyline. Parkinson’s is indiscriminate, deceptive and wickedly unkind targeting so many. I want to do this storyline justice for the most courageous of people who are having to bear the brunt of this condition."
The actor is the longest-serving cast member on Emmerdale having joined in 1986. But he was actually initially only scheduled to appear in 12 episodes. He became a popular