Eric Pollard (also Pollock) is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Chris Chittell.
[1] The character originally served as the show's villain, but this has been noticeably toned down in recent years, particularly since Eric's marriage to Val Lambert (Charlie Hardwick) and the introduction of his long-lost son, David Metcalfe (Matthew Wolfenden).
He has been married five times; to Eileen Pollock (Arbel Jones) in 1964, Elizabeth Feldmann (Kate Dove) in 1992, although the marriage was bigamous, Dee de la Cruz (Claudia Malkovich) in 1997, Gloria Weaver (Janice McKenzie) in 2002 and Val in 2008.
He makes himself very unpopular, and is involved in a number of illegal schemes, often with his crooked business associate, Charlie Aindow (David Fleeshman).
The relationship surprises many in the village, as two years before, Eric bought the Feldmanns' farm at a reduced price.
However, the marriage soon turns sour, and when Elizabeth discovers Eric has committed cheque fraud and framed Michael for it, she tells him that she plans to go to the police.
Knowing this would cost him Elizabeth's estate, Eric agrees to pay Eileen in return for a divorce and her silence.
When he goes on holiday to the Philippines for Christmas 1996, Eric shocks everyone by returning with a young fiancée, Dee la Cruz (Claudia Malkovich).
She and Eric get married, despite a backlash when Rachel Hughes (Glenda McKay) discovers that Dee is a "mail-order bride".
When the scandal breaks, thanks to Steph Forsythe (Lorraine Chase), Gloria twists it so she looks like the wronged wife and takes the job, despite the fact it is in Westminster.
He throws her out, and later becomes convinced that she is dead, until a few months later, when he gets a video of her sipping a cocktail in the sun, revealing that she faked her death in order to clean out his bank account undetected.
After many disastrous marriages and relationships, Eric finally meets his match in troublemaker Val Lambert (Charlie Hardwick).
Amy Wyatt (Chelsea Halfpenny), Eric and Val's foster daughter, is the original suspect, but the culprit is revealed to be Elizabeth's son, Michael.
He agrees and after a calm discussion, Eric persuades Michael to take the money he asked for and use it to start again.
Eric begins drinking heavily and gets frustrated with the guests staying at the Grange, and Val takes some time away from the village.
They both regret it, but Diane is horrified to learn that Val may be HIV positive, and takes medication to fight the virus.
During the wedding of Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) and Pete Barton (Anthony Quinlan) in August 2015, Eric locks Val and Diane in the house of mirrors and wanders off to drink in a pub with Doug Potts (Duncan Preston) and Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower).
He blames Chrissie White (Louise Marwood) for Val's death, as she started the fire which led to the helicopter crash.
He is angry when she pleads not guilty to reckless arson and he shows up at her house, armed with a cricket bat.
Chrissie's estranged husband Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) arrives and convinces Eric to leave.
Chittell opined in 2012 that he would hate if the producers "mellowed" Eric or made him "soft", since he always wants his character to have "that edge".
He explained that he could imagine Eric becoming less used 5–10 years in the future, and that although he would hate leaving, he would "just shake everyone's hand and say thank you very much, as the journey has been wonderful.
"[1] Chittell stated that Eric is "capable of anything", and that he "could go to desperate lengths to silence" people talking about his secrets.
The profile adds that if Eric had one wish, it would be "for Val to be content with their income and position, to retire comfortably and have an easy life".
The Daily Mirror stated that Eric's "constant plotting, scheming, and often seducing, made him an instant hit".
[3] In 2013, John Moores University did a study for the Co-operative store chain, and they found Eric to be the "unhealthiest character in soap".
Senior British Heart Foundation cardiac nurse Doireann Maddock commented: "If Eric wants to reduce his risk of that second heart attack, he needs to spend less time in the Woolpack and more enjoying brisk walks in the Dales – and eating plenty of fruit and veg.