[1] Whilst showing early ambitions to act he started working in the shoe business, Lilley & Skinner, where his father was one of several directors.

However, it was his frequent bad time keeping that caused him to be sacked by his father enabling him to pursue his ambition and train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

[2] Thorp's leading television roles included Dr. John Rennie in Emergency Ward 10 from 1957 to 1961, and Doug Randall in Crossroads in 1975.

[6] Thorp was one of Emmerdale's most private actors, although he gave an interview in 1995 with The People and revealed that he was separated from his wife, but they still lived in the same house together.

Richard had a brilliant sense of humour and he will be missed by every single member of our production whose lives he touched.