Emmerdale’s longest-serving actor starred in X-rated adult films before soap – admitting ‘I thought they would ruin me’
AN EMMERDALE legend has revealed that he used to star in X-rated Swedish sex films before featuring on the ITV soap.
Long before the star's big break on the show, the cast stalwart was involved in several adult movies.
Emmerdale’s Eric Pollard, played by Chris Chittell, began his acting career in a string X-rated movies, including titles Let Us Play Sex, Sex in Sweden, and Practice Makes Perfect, before joining the Dales.
Many younger viewers of the soap won’t remember when Eric was introduced to the soap in 1986 as a wheeler-dealer turned bed-and-breakfast king.
The ladies' man at the time romanced a string of women, from favourites Val Pollard, played by Charlie Hardwick and Faith Dingle, portrayed by Sally Dexter.
Chris’ adult career isn’t something that he is afraid to discuss openly, as he recently sat down with The Sunday Mirror and revealed the details behind his 1997 stint.
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The 75-year-old TV veteran revealed: "I did films like Let Us Play Sex and Swedish Sex Games when I was on my uppers after running up terrible bills and seeing various ventures fail.
"One was an antiques business. Another was a Jewish-Italian restaurant in Hatton Garden, London.
"I took them to pay off some heavy-duty people and clear the bills."
The actor also revealed that his raunchy venture into soft porn led him to believe that he may never get a job in the UK once he was recognised.
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He added: "I always thought I was going to be fired, even after years in Emmerdale," he explained.
"I thought I would never work in England again because of the content of those films. Thank God I've been on the up ever since."
In upcoming scenes on Emmerdale Chris’ character, Eric, finds himself on the edge into a downward spiral as he tries to accept and live with his Parkinson's diagnosis.
He confided in Mandy Dingle, played by Lisa Riley, that he was payalysed with fear by the diagnosis, which was issued by doctors earlier this year.
However, he has kept his condition secret from his partner, Brenda Walker, played by Lesley Dunlop and his loved ones.
After keeping Brenda in the dark and pushing her away, he was eventually backed into a corner and had no choice but to tell her everything that had been happening.
This week, Eric is faced with a Parkinson's Support Group meeting, but he is too afraid to open up and get help.
But without the support in place, Eric and his symptoms will only deteriorate and get worse.
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7:30pm.
