Thorp blasts new 'Emmerdale' cast plots

Emmerdale actor Richard Thorp has criticised the ITV soap for introducing new characters too fast.

Earlier this year the 78-year-old actor, who has played Alan Turner for over 28 years, returned to filming after taking a break due to health problems.

"Being part of the old guard, I think they bring in too many new characters too quickly," he told the Radio Times.

"Within three weeks, they're sleeping with their mother and you're supposed to care. When I joined, I was still the new chap at Home Farm after three years."

Andy Devine (Shadrach Dingle) recently compared leaving the programme to ending a jail sentence.