Andy C
12-02-2005, 15:57
From BBC News online
Actor Stan Richards, who played ex-gamekeeper Seth Armstrong in ITV soap Emmerdale, has died aged 74.
Richards passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday night, said the show's producers.
The actor, who joined Emmerdale more than 25 years ago, was the longest serving soap actor outside Coronation Street.
In 2003 he spent three months in hospital recovering from a collapsed lung.
In 1998 he had to take a rest from the series after breaking a thigh bone.
The actor died at home in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, with members of his family.
He had been suffering from lung problems, including emphysema, for some time and had been in and out of hospital.
Richards' last appearance was on Christmas Eve 2004 after a 15-month absence, sending a Christmas message from Australia to his partner Betty Eagleton, played by Paula Tilbrook.
Emmerdale line producer Tim Fee said: "This is a tragic loss and we are all deeply saddened. Stan will be greatly missed by everyone who has worked with him on Emmerdale during the past 27 years."
The actor was born and brought up in Barnsley. He started out as a pianist and stand-up comedian, then appeared briefly in Coronation Street before joining Emmerdale in 1978 with a plotline lasting a few weeks.
In 2003 he celebrated 25 years on the show. At the time he said: "I have enjoyed every single minute of it. It's been 25 years of fun."
Actor Stan Richards, who played ex-gamekeeper Seth Armstrong in ITV soap Emmerdale, has died aged 74.
Richards passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday night, said the show's producers.
The actor, who joined Emmerdale more than 25 years ago, was the longest serving soap actor outside Coronation Street.
In 2003 he spent three months in hospital recovering from a collapsed lung.
In 1998 he had to take a rest from the series after breaking a thigh bone.
The actor died at home in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, with members of his family.
He had been suffering from lung problems, including emphysema, for some time and had been in and out of hospital.
Richards' last appearance was on Christmas Eve 2004 after a 15-month absence, sending a Christmas message from Australia to his partner Betty Eagleton, played by Paula Tilbrook.
Emmerdale line producer Tim Fee said: "This is a tragic loss and we are all deeply saddened. Stan will be greatly missed by everyone who has worked with him on Emmerdale during the past 27 years."
The actor was born and brought up in Barnsley. He started out as a pianist and stand-up comedian, then appeared briefly in Coronation Street before joining Emmerdale in 1978 with a plotline lasting a few weeks.
In 2003 he celebrated 25 years on the show. At the time he said: "I have enjoyed every single minute of it. It's been 25 years of fun."