Ken Farrington
Encyclopedia
Ken Farrington (sometimes credited as Kenneth Farrington) is an English actor.
He first found fame playing the role of Billy Walker, wayward son of publican Annie
, in ITV
's long running soap opera
, Coronation Street
. He joined the series in 1961, playing the role on and off until leaving the show for good in 1984.
During the 1960s Farrington played a number of supporting roles in drama series, including The Saint
, playing long-suffering Chief Inspector Teal's right-hand man. He also appeared in films such as One Way Pendulum
(1964), The Knack …and How to Get It (1965) and Robbery (1967).
Starting in 1997 he played the key continuing role of Jack Gates, father of Hart family matriarch Annie Hart, in soap opera Family Affairs
. His character was killed-off in late 1998 (several weeks prior to the entire Hart family being killed-off) as part of a drastic revamp of that series.
. On 8 August 2006, ITV
announced that Ken Farrington had decided to leave Emmerdale after three years. He said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Emmerdale but feel it is time to move on". Speaking about his decision to quit the show, Farrington said: "I originally came to 'Emmerdale' for just six months and I have ended up staying for three years. Even during my 25 years at 'Coronation Street', two years at a time was my longest stint". "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at 'Emmerdale' but feel it is time to move on," he said.
Emmerdale series producer Kathleen Beedles
said: "Ken has been an asset to the show and will be greatly missed but his exit storyline is going to be extremely dramatic and memorable for viewers, which we're very excited about."
Farrington was written out in dramatic fashion in an episode which aired on Christmas Day, 2006 which saw his character being pushed to his death from a bedroom window.
He first found fame playing the role of Billy Walker, wayward son of publican Annie
Annie Walker
Anne "Annie" Walker is a long-standing fictional character in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street. She was played by actress Doris Speed from the series' first episode in 1960 until Speed retired from the role 23 years and 1,746 episodes later in 1983.The character of Annie has been noted as...
, in ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's long running soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. He joined the series in 1961, playing the role on and off until leaving the show for good in 1984.
During the 1960s Farrington played a number of supporting roles in drama series, including The Saint
The Saint (TV series)
The Saint was an ITC mystery spy thriller television series that aired in the UK on ITV between 1962 and 1969. It centred on the Leslie Charteris literary character, Simon Templar, a Robin Hood-like adventurer with a penchant for disguise. The character may be nicknamed The Saint because the...
, playing long-suffering Chief Inspector Teal's right-hand man. He also appeared in films such as One Way Pendulum
One Way Pendulum
One Way Pendulum is a 1964 British comedy film directed by Peter Yates and starring Eric Sykes and George Cole. It is an adaptation of the play by N. F. Simpson.-Cast:* Eric Sykes as Mr. Groomkirby* George Cole as Defense counsel/friend...
(1964), The Knack …and How to Get It (1965) and Robbery (1967).
Starting in 1997 he played the key continuing role of Jack Gates, father of Hart family matriarch Annie Hart, in soap opera Family Affairs
Family Affairs
Family Affairs was a British soap opera broadcast on Five, from 1997 to 2005. It was the second programme to be broadcast on the channel on 30 March 1997, the channel's launch night...
. His character was killed-off in late 1998 (several weeks prior to the entire Hart family being killed-off) as part of a drastic revamp of that series.
Emmerdale
In 2004 he took the ongoing role of Tom King in ITV soap opera EmmerdaleEmmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
. On 8 August 2006, ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
announced that Ken Farrington had decided to leave Emmerdale after three years. He said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Emmerdale but feel it is time to move on". Speaking about his decision to quit the show, Farrington said: "I originally came to 'Emmerdale' for just six months and I have ended up staying for three years. Even during my 25 years at 'Coronation Street', two years at a time was my longest stint". "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at 'Emmerdale' but feel it is time to move on," he said.
Emmerdale series producer Kathleen Beedles
Kathleen Beedles
Kathleen Beedles originates from Rogart in Sutherland. She attended Golspie High School where she did some acting in a film with Tom Hanks. She is a former Series Producer of British television soap opera Emmerdale. She took over from Steve Frost during 2005. Kathleen was producer and series editor...
said: "Ken has been an asset to the show and will be greatly missed but his exit storyline is going to be extremely dramatic and memorable for viewers, which we're very excited about."
Farrington was written out in dramatic fashion in an episode which aired on Christmas Day, 2006 which saw his character being pushed to his death from a bedroom window.