Emmerdale legend signs new contract and is staying put amid serious illness storyline
Good news for Emmerdale fans, as Chris Chittell has reportedly signed a new contract for the soap, meaning his character will stick around for the foreseeable.
Chris arrived on the show as Eric Pollard back in 1986. He featured in 12 episodes, and then became a full-time character.
As a result of signing a new contract, Chris will play the local shop owner until at least 2026, which also happens to be his 40th year in the soap.
Eric currently works part-time in the shop alongside the likes of Tracy Shankley (Amy Walsh) and Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant) his grandson.
He recently reached an emotional point in his life, as he accepted his Parkinson’s was now impacting his ability to do small day to day tasks.
Discussing Chris continuing his role in the soap, a source told The Sun: ’Chris is Emmerdale and there was no way he wasn’t going to make it to 40 years in the village. It’s such a big achievement and he loves being on the show just as much as he did when he first joined.
‘There are big things coming for Eric well into next year.’
Eric received his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2023. The long running storyline has highlighted the way symptoms such as forgetfulness and hand tremors effect his life.
It became apparent shortly after Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) left that Eric’s illness was now stopping him from doing things like putting his shoes on, or drinking from a cup, which prompted Jacob and Kerry Wyatt (Laura Norton) to try and organise a carer for him.
Because Eric is a man full of pride though, he was not prepared to accept help from a woman he did not know. He clashed with the carer and sacked her, which left friend Kerry feeling frustrated.
Not afraid to say what she thinks, Kerry told Eric that he’s an ungrateful old man.
It was this connection that ultimately changed Eric’s mind about having extra help though, as he reached the conclusion that he could pay Kerry to assist him, knowing that she wouldn’t leave him feeling patronised.
