Toke Townley

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Toke Townley, born John Antony Townley on 6 November 1912 in Great Dunmow, Essex, was an English actor. His father was a vicar, and his name was changed from John to Toke shortly after birth. After leaving school, he worked as a factory clerk and acted in his spare time before becoming a professional actor in his early 30s, beginning at Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He later appeared in many early BBC television programs from the days of Alexandra Palace.

From 1951 to 1970, Townley acted in nearly 30 films, including Lady Godiva Rides Again, Doctor at Sea, The Quatermass Xperiment, The Admirable Crichton, Carry On Admiral, Doctor in Distress and Scars of Dracula. He also worked in television, including appearances in The Avengers, and was known to be a skilled flute player on screen.

Townley often played country bumpkins, and in 1972 he joined Emmerdale Farm as Sam Pearson, the father of Annie Sugden, wearing a cloth cap and a collarless shirt. Although the character was said to be born in the 1890s, Townley was only a few years older than the actress who played his daughter, Sheila Mercier. He appeared in over 800 Emmerdale Farm episodes and was loved by the cast, though he was a private person who lived alone in a Leeds hotel near the filming location.

He died of a heart attack on 27 September 1984 in Leeds, at the age of 71, while still appearing in the soap, and his character was killed off shortly afterward.