Emmerdale legend was so poor he turned to making adult films

Emmerdale stalwart Chris Chittell - best known for his long-standing role as Eric Pollard - didn't begin his career in the world of soaps. The seasoned actor, who became a part of the ITV show in 1986, initially embarked on a modelling career and then starred in Swedish adult films such as Sex in Sweden, Let Us Play Sex, and Practice Makes Perfect. During a financially challenging time, he performed explicit sex scenes on camera.

Chittell later worried that his past in adult films might cost him his role in Emmerdale if the producers discovered it. In a candid interview with The Sunday Mirror back in 1997, he confessed: "I did films like Let Us Play Sex and Swedish Sex Games when I was on my uppers after running up terrible bills and seeing various ventures fail. One was an antiques business. Another was a Jewish-Italian restaurant in Hatton Garden, London. I took them to pay off some heavy-duty people and clear the bills."

He also shared his fears about his job security, saying: "I always thought I was going to be fired, even after years in Emmerdale. I thought I would never work in England again because of the content of those films. Thank God I've been on the up ever since."

To combat the severe anxiety and panic attacks that left him unable to speak coherently, Chris sought help from a faith healer and subsequently a hypnotherapist, who he says successfully "fixed him" on their second session.

Chris starred in adult films throughout the 1970s, long before his stint on Emmerdale. His filmography includes titles such as Girl on Her Knees, Hungry Young Women and Erotic Inferno.

Some viewers have only recently stumbled upon Chris's steamy history and took to social media to express their surprise. One fan humorously remarked: "Only found out today that Chris Chittell was a hardcore porn actor! Eric Poleshard!" Another teased: "Eric Pollard you dirty dog!"

Others commented with a mix of admiration and dismay, posting: "What a guy!" while another complained: "Don't need that image, thank you.."

Fortunately, his earlier career choices didn't hinder his success on the soap or his romance with co-star Lesley Dunlop, who portrays Brenda Walker on the ITV show. Chris parted ways with his first wife Caroline Hunt in 2005, having married her in 1979; he wed Lesley in 2016.