1 week Ago By [email protected] (Kelly Smith)
Michael Praed, best known for his role in Emmerdale, has a rich acting history including roles in Robin of Sherwood and the 80s hit Dynasty. His time on the ITV soap ended abruptly in 2019 when his character, Frank Clayton, died tragically in a massive explosion. This unexpected exit shocked dedicated Emmerdale viewers, many of whom had no idea that his departure was imminent.
The storyline leading to his character's death involved Kerry and Amy Wyatt, who accidentally started the fire while trying to tamper with CCTV equipment to hide their theft from the safe. It was the spark from this interference that ignited the fatal fire. Frank, showing heroic determination, ran into the blaze to save his daughter Tracy, who was trapped in a storeroom - a brave act that ultimately cost him his life.
To the surprise of Emmerdale fans, Michael's character's death was kept secret until the broadcast, making it a real shock when it happened on screen. The actor later commented on "the demise of young Frank," on Emmerdale's Facebook page, an announcement which left fans stunned, according to Leeds Live . The revelation of Michael's extensive career beyond his soap opera work has surprised some fans, who were unaware that he had been appearing on their screens for years in high-profile roles without being recognisable.
A lesser-known tidbit is that the name Michael Praed is not his birth-given name, adding yet another layer to the entertainer's interesting backstory. Michael Praed, originally born Michael David Prince, adopted his stage surname from a phone directory after discovering a name clash with another Michael Prince at the Equity actors union. This new surname would not only define his career but also be passed down to his children, Frankie and Gabriel, from his previous marriage to Karen Landau - a famous dancer known for her work in Adam Ant: Puss 'n Boots (1983), Cinderella: The Shoe Must Go On (1986) and Saturday Night Out (1988).
Michael's rise to fame is largely attributed to his role in the 80s hit series Dynasty, where he worked alongside the iconic Dame Joan Collins. However, despite his success, he has expressed mixed feelings about his time on the show. In an interview with The Sun, he discussed the challenges of maintaining friendships with former co-stars, a common downside of the acting profession.
Reflecting on his experience on Dynasty, where he was part of the cast from 1985 to 1986, the actor lamented: "I'm not in touch with anybody from the cast of Dynasty. It's a sad thing about this business, especially in shows where you do them for a year and forge these great bonds, then rarely get to work with those people again. It's hard to keep in touch.
Or maybe I am just the most unfriendly b***ard in the country." Michael Praed previously shared a harrowing account of an on-set injury he suffered during the filming of Robin of Sherwood. In an interview with The Sun, he revealed that his co-star Clive Mantle accidentally struck him in the groin area with a staff during a fight scene, miraculously avoiding causing more severe damage.
Michael recalled: "When I played Robin in Robin Of Sherwood, my co-star Clive Mantle smacked me in the balls with a staff." Explaining the incident, he said: "I did a fight scene with him, which was fine, but then they called 'action' and he just went for me. He punctured me and the fact I'm not missing one ball is a miracle.
" In a more recent endeavour, Michael showcased his culinary skills on the popular BBC One show Celebrity MasterChef, alongside hosts Greg Wallace and John Torode. Notably, he was unaware that his on-screen daughter, Amy Walsh, would be competing against him on the show. Although Michael impressed the judges with his dishes, Amy outshone him, landing a spot in the final, while he finished in tenth place.
Michael's exit from his role as Frank in Emmerdale in 2019 caused an uproar among viewers. Amy Walsh, who portrayed his on-screen daughter Tracy, described his departure as a "harrowing experience", revealing that she considered him "like a second dad". The decision to axe Frank's character also sparked outrage on social media, with many fans threatening to boycott the show.
Reflecting on his exit from Emmerdale, Michael expressed a sense of nostalgia and sadness. Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "I was really sad to be killed off in Emmerdale." He continued by saying: "But that's the business! We actors are pragmatic.
It's a brutal, brutal game. I had three cherished years and, by the end of it had become so close to all the cast and crew. "It was hard to say goodbye.
I moved up north for the show and loved living there. Northerners are wonderful - the most friendly, funny lovely people.".
