He’s known for putting the wind up people as his alter ego Eric Pollard – but this time it was actor Chris Chittell in full puff when he made a surprise cameo appearance with Porthleven Town Band.
The Emmerdale actor stopped off at Tesco Helston over the Christmas period, while the band was playing carols in the entrance foyer to the store.
Joined by his wife, actress Lesley Dunlop, Chris was happy to stop and say hello, shake the collection bucket and even got behind one of the instruments ready to play before deciding better of it.
Speaking of the festive moment, Porthleven Town Band said: “We were so delighted and surprised to see Chis Chittell and Lesley Dunlop - or you may know them as Eric Pollard and Brenda Walker from Emmerdale - at Tesco Helston!
“They were so friendly and it was really lovely to see them and wish them a very Happy Christmas.”
Chris is best known for playing Eric Pollard in Emmerdale, where he was originally the soap’s popular villain, although he has mellowed in recent years.
He made his first appearance in the soap on September 30, 1986 and has appeared continuously since, currently holding the title of the show’s longest-serving actor, as well as the longest-serving character in the history of the soap.
Chris and Lesley are well known supporters of businesses and events in the area, where they are seen regularly.
Three years ago Chris showed his support for the Fishermen’s Mission when he stopped for a photo outside its Helston charity shop.
He has also previously taken part in the Coverack Christmas Day swim alongside comedian David Baddiel, a regular to the event, and in 2016 Chris and Lesley chose to have their wedding reception at Coverack's Paris Hotel when they married at the village church of St Peter's.
The couple chose Coverack to marry in because Lesley used to live in the area and always dreamed of getting married in the parish, near to where her daughters Daisy and Rosie were living, in Helston, with her grandchildren attending a local primary school.
They used a number of Cornish suppliers in addition to the Paris Hotel, with the bouquets created by Anna Mait who lives just outside Coverack and Marianna Fuller from Fuller Blooms near St Keverne, the cake made in Newquay and photographs from Joanne Clement of Enchanted Brides Photography in Helston.
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