As Eric Pollard turns 80, his most memorable moments in Emmerdale revealed – Happy birthday Eric!
Soap icon Eric Pollard turns 80 this week, following a stint of almost 40 years on Emmerdale – and contributing some of its most memorable moments to date. As the soap’s longest-serving character, Eric – or Pollard, or he’s commonly known by fans and neighbours – has been at the heart of some of its biggest storylines.
He hasn’t always been so sympathetic either (if you can even call him that now). In fact, he was widely regarded as one of the soap’s most conniving villains during his heyday.
Pollard’s eightieth may have been forgotten by Tracy tonight (Monday, June 9), but we certainly haven’t. Join us as we look back at some of the Emmerdale icon’s most memorable moments.
The most memorable moments of Eric Pollard:
Arrival in Beckindale
When Eric Pollard first arrived in the village (then known as Beckindale) back in 1986, he wasted little time becoming involved in a number of illegal business schemes. This including cooking the books at Hotten Market, and pursuing a vendetta with locals Sandie Merrick and Phil Pearce.
Soon after arriving, he also befriended Marian and Paolo Rosetti, staging a burglary at their home. During the ensuing chaos, Paolo accidentally shot himself, and ended up in a wheelchair. He later took his own life, under mysterious circumstances.
The police were unable to prove Pollard’s involvement in the crime, and he went unpunished.
The plane crash
The biggest story Pollard was ever involved in was the Emmerdale plane crash of 1993. A number of villagers were k.i.l.l.e.d in this disaster, including noted bigamist (!) Pollard’s second wife, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s d.e.a.t.h remains a sticky subject, with many believing that Pollard had used the disaster as a smokescreen to k.i.l.l his wife. She had just discovered he’d framed her son for cheque fraud and was about to shop him for it when she was struck and k.i.l.l.e.d by falling wreckage. Or so Pollard claims.
As it happens, he was innocent of that particular crime – although he later admitted that he had planned on k.i.l.l.i.n.g her. Lucky for him, the plane got there first.
The most memorable moments of Eric Pollard:
Marrying a ‘mail order bride’
Pollard travelled to the Philippines in 1996, taking a well-earned break from his recent villainy. When he returned, he wasn’t alone – coming back with fiancée Dee La Cruz (no.3) in tow.
It was later revealed that Dee was a ‘mail order bride.’ However, the marriage went ahead even once the truth came out. She broke his heart soon after, deciding to return to her home country alone.
The resulting heartbreak left Pollard devastated, and he decided to end his own life. He was found and talked out of this by Marlon Dingle, who eventually helped Pollard overcome his pain and return to his nasty, scheming ways of old.
Mayoral bid and marriage to Gloria Weaver
After meeting and marrying Gloria Weaver (wife no.4), Pollard launched a bid to become local mayor. In order to secure his appointment, she convinced Pollard to seduce and bed a local councillor, which he did.
Eric’s tryst with this woman became public knowledge when he was exposed by Steph Stokes. Twisting the scenario to make Pollard look like the bad guy (not difficult), Gloria used the situation to her own advantage, winning a seat in Westminster for herself.
After discovering Gloria had been having an affair with her assistant, Pollard threw her out. She was never seen again and, when her car and shoes were found abandoned, everyone else assumed that she was d.e.a.d.
However, Gloria had actually faked her own d.e.a.t.h, emptying his bank account before relocating to sunnier climes. Typical politician.
The most memorable moments of Eric Pollard continued:
Marriage to Val
In 2007, Valerie ‘Val’ Lambert, the firebrand sister of Diane Sugden, arrived in Emmerdale. Things were never the same again for Eric Pollard. After hitting it off, he and Val went into business together, which soon developed a romance.
Pollard and Val were married in 2008, settling into a semblance of normality in spite of their volatile nature. Val was good for Pollard, and the pair even fostered local teenager Amy Wyatt together.
Unfortunately, things hit a snag when Amy fell pregnant with baby Kyle. Believing that he’d talked her into having Kyle adopted, Val emptied his bank account and packed off to Portugal.
By the time she returned, Pollard was in a relationship with Brenda Walker (played by actor Chris Chittell’s real-life wife, Lesley Dunlop!). He wasn’t able to resist Val’s charms for long though, and they reconciled soon after… before breaking up again once it was revealed she’d contracted HIV while in Portugal.
Val and Eric eventually reconciled again, only for d.e.a.t.h to permanently separate them. Val was k.i.l.l.e.d by falling debris when she became trapped in a hall of mirrors with sister Diane, in the aftermath of a terrible helicopter crash.
Pollard was heartbroken by this latest loss. “Without her, I am lost in the dark again,” he declared in his subsequent eulogy.
The most memorable moments of Eric Pollard continued:
Becoming a father
During this time, Pollard also learned that he had a son, David Metcalfe. The result of an affair between Pollard and a woman named Lydia Metcalfe, David arrived in the village seeking to steal £20,000 from his dad.
However, the pair eventually became close, and David and Pollard began a real relationship as father as son. One can attribute the arrival of David to Pollard’s shift from villain to loveable rogue – giving him a family and sense of warmth.
With David, came his grandfatherly affection for Jacob Gallagher. And, as he bonded with local teen Amy Wyatt, and her mum Tracy Wyatt in the years following, Eric Pollard really did begin to soften.
The most memorable moments of Eric Pollard:
Parkinson’s diagnosis
In 2023, doctors diagnosed Pollard with Parkinson’s. This sent the ageing villain into something of a spiral, as he struggled to come to terms with his declining health and lack of mobility.
Although he opened up to David (who promptly left!) he’s still struggling with the condition today. Recent episodes have seen Pollard admit that he does need aid – employing Kerry as his home help as his health worsens.
In this storyline, viewers have seen an all-new side to Pollard, backed up with a devastating performance from Chris.
The scamster becomes the scammed… becomes the scamster (again)
Lest we think the Pollard of old is completely gone, he still finds time for a fresh scam every now and then. When he’s not getting caught up in one, that is.
After investing all his money in a dodgy scheme, Pollard found himself skint and humiliated. To make matters worse, it wasn’t just his own cash he’d gambled with – he’d invested the money of fiancé Brenda too.
She was understandably furious when she found out, and called off their marriage. Months later, she departed Emmerdale, heading off on a cruise trip which had been intended for them both. This leaves Pollard alone once more, almost 80 and struggling with his declining health and increased frailty.
Happy birthday, Eric Pollard!
Eric celebrated the eve of his birthday in Emmerdale tonight, joining old pal Rodney Blackstock for a pre-eightieth tipple. We don’t know what the future holds for Eric Pollard, nor how long actor Chris plans on sticking around on the soap – with rumours abound that this year may be his last (say it ain’t so!)
What we do know is that Emmerdale wouldn’t be the same without him. Many happy returns Eric!
