Christopher John Chittell (born 19 May 1948) is an English actor, known for his role as Eric Pollard in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He has portrayed the role since 1986, making him the longest-serving cast member in the soap's history.
Biography Early life Chittell was born in Aldershot, Hampshire. His father served in the Indian Army, and on leaving school Chittell intended to join the Royal Navy, but instead, he became a model. His first acting stint was in 1964, with the National Theatre, at Chichester Festival Theatre, in Peter Shaffer's The Royal Hunt of the Sun.
Career He appeared as Potter in the 1967 film To Sir, with Love. In 1968 he appeared as a Trooper in The Charge of the Light Brigade, and made an uncredited appearance in If.... . This was followed by a starring role as one of the Freewheelers, made as an action/adventure children's serial by Southern Television between 1968 and 1973.
Chittell acted for two seasons in the 1970s science fiction TV drama The Tomorrow People. His other film appearances included roles in The Beast in the Cellar (1970), The Weekend Murders (1971), The Raging Moon (1971), The Last Valley (1971), Erotic Inferno (1975), Golden Rendezvous (1977), Zulu Dawn (1979) and Game for Vultures (1979). He also appeared in a number of Swedish sex films in the 1970s including Swedish Sex Games (aka The Intruders and Let Us Play Sex) in 1975 (which also featured a young Stellan Skarsgård).
He performed on stage at the Old Vic in Macbeth with Peter O'Toole.Hayward, Anthony The Emmerdale Companion Published by Orion Publishing Co. (1997) Chittell on the Emmerdale website In 1972, Chittell appeared in the untransmitted Doomwatch episode "Sex and Violence", playing Dick Burns, widely believed to be a parody of Cliff Richard and Richard's part in the Nationwide Festival of Light. The "Sex and Violence" episode was included as part of the Doomwatch DVD box set release in April 2016.
Honours He was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes1967 To Sir, with Love Potter 1968 The Charge of the Light Brigade Trooper 1968 The Avengers Bassin 1968 If.... Senior Uncredited1970 The Breaking of Bumbo The Prisoner 1970 The Weekend Murders Georgie Kemple 1971 The Raging Moon Terry 1971 The Last Valley Svenson 1971 The Beast in the Cellar Baker 1971 They Call Him Cemetery John McIntire 1972 Doomwatch Dick Burns 1 episode 1974 The Intruders Richard 1974 Man About The House Alan 1975 Erotic Inferno Martin Barnard 1977 Molly Peter 1977 Ta mej i dalen Richard 1977 Golden Rendezvous Rogers 1978 The Wild Geese Philips Uncredited1978 Night Ride TV movie 1979 Zulu Dawn Lt. Milne 1979 Game for Vultures McAllister 1980 Les Visiteurs (The Visitors) L'interprète (The Interpreter) TV Mini Series. Episode entitled: Pirvii 1982 Triangle Lorry Driver TV series. Series 2. Episode 171984 Tucker's Luck Junior TV series. Recurring role1986–present Emmerdale Eric Pollard ITV Soap Opera. Series regular
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