# Henry Wilks

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Fictional character from Emmerdale

Not to be confused with [Henry Wilkes](/source/Henry_Wilkes).

Soap opera character

Henry Wilks Emmerdale character Portrayed by Arthur Pentelow Duration 1972–1991 First appearance 16 October 1972 (1972-10-16) Last appearance 29 August 1991 (1991-08-29) Created by Kevin Laffan Introduced by David Goddard In-universe information Occupation Pub landlord Businessperson Wife Margaret Wilks (backstory) Daughters Marian Rosetti Grandsons Nicolo Rosetti First cousins Alice Wilks

**Henry Wilks** is a fictional character from the [British](/source/Television_in_the_United_Kingdom) television soap opera *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)*, played by [Arthur Pentelow](/source/Arthur_Pentelow). He ran the Woolpack [public house](/source/Public_house) alongside [Amos Brearly](/source/Amos_Brearly) ([Ronald Magill](/source/Ronald_Magill)) for nearly 20 years.

## Creation and casting

Henry is one of the eight original main characters conceived by the creator of *Emmerdale*, [Kevin Laffan](/source/Kevin_Laffan).[1] The serial centred around the Sugdens, a farming family who owned Emmerdale Farm on the outskirts of Beckindale village. Laffan explained that he was interested by the notion that farming was "a way of life" and not just a way to earn a living, as well as "the mental attitude" that set them apart. This is why he introduced Henry, "an industrialist from the outside world" who comes into the farming community.[1] After the show's story was mapped out, Laffan joined casting director Sue Whatmough, producer David Goddard, and director [Tristan de Vere Cole](/source/Tristan_de_Vere_Cole) for the casting process and interviews were carried out in May 1972 at [Yorkshire Television](/source/Yorkshire_Television)'s London offices. Laffan recalled that they wanted to cast actors that would gel well together, and Arthur Pentelow was "an immediate choice" for the role of Henry.[1] Gail Harrison was cast as Henry's daughter [Marian Wilks](/source/Marian_Wilks).[1] Henry was introduced in the show's debut episode, broadcast on 16 October 1972.[2]

## Development

Henry's original character outline appeared in [Anthony Hayward](/source/Anthony_Hayward)'s book *The Emmerdale Companion*: "Henry Wilks is a widower used to having his own way. A retired factory owner, he has always given the orders carried out by others. Now, however, he must adjust his personal relationships, as he discovers on his first contact with the Sugdens."[1] Henry is characterised as "blunt" and "honest", yet despite these personality traits he is also very "kind-hearted".[3] Characters that talk nonsense can expect to witness Henry's "blunt" mannerisms.[4] He also has a keen interest in the environment and wants to preserve the natural surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales.[4] Henry is retired wool merchant from [Bradford](/source/Bradford).[5] He moves to Beckindale after the death of his wife.[3] Henry's first meeting with the Sugden family is "acrimonious", as he discovers an unused right-of-way across their land and insists on using it.[2] He later becomes a shareholder at the local Emmerdale Farm.[3] Henry is an old friend of [Annie Sugden](/source/Annie_Sugden) ([Sheila Mercier](/source/Sheila_Mercier)) and he helps create a business plan to save the farm. He convinces the Sugden family to turn the farm into a limited company and joins the board of directors.[4] In another story, Henry proposes marriage to Annie. Mercier told a reporter from *[TVTimes](/source/TVTimes)* that Annie declined his offer because she thought it would ruin their good friendship.[6] Aside from Annie, the only other woman that Henry cares for is his daughter.[7] Marian was the first member of the original cast to leave the show in 1973.[8] She moves to Italy, where she marries and gives birth to Henry's first grandchild, Niccolo. When Marian reveals her marriage is in trouble, Henry comes close to leaving the village to set up home with her and his grandson.[7]

Writers created an on-screen partnership between Henry and [Amos Brearly](/source/Amos_Brearly) ([Ronald Magill](/source/Ronald_Magill)). When Henry's house is destroyed by a fire, he moves into the Woolpack pub and remains there permanently.[3] Henry and Amos decide to create a business partnership and take joint ownership of the pub. Linda Hawkins, author of *Emmerdale Farm: Celebration Edition 1000 Episodes* stated that Henry and Amos are often "squabble amicably" but they are "close friends and enjoy each other's company."[3] Amos believes that Henry constantly holds him back from money making schemes and "they constantly argue". Hawkins added that "underneath, Amos is devoted to Henry."[9] Anthony Hayward, author of *The Who's Who of Soap Operas* noted that there was "constant sparring" between the two but it always remained "friendly".[4] Hilary Kingsley, author of *Soap Box*, believed Henry was "the perfect foil" for the temperamental Amos.[7] Of Amos and Henry's living situation, Pentelow explained: I'm not a pub person at all and Ronnie (Amos) and I often laugh about the dingy living quarters we're supposed to share. We fantasise about a lovely lounge upstairs and luxurious bedrooms. We do have separate bedrooms, by the way, despite what people say."[7] Amos and Henry's partnership lasted seventeen years until Amos decides to retire, after suffering a stroke and a fall down some stairs. Hayward assessed that Henry was an "emotional wrench" and "exasperated" that Amos would give up on their business. Henry views Amos' decision as a selfish act but their parting is amicable because Henry is "genuinely fond of Amos".[4] Writers decided to introduce [Alan Turner](/source/Alan_Turner_(Emmerdale)) ([Richard Thorp](/source/Richard_Thorp)) as the new landlord of the Woolpack. Henry and Alan had many disagreements and Henry decides to move out of the Woolpack and onto lodgings at Emmerdale Farm.[4]

Pentelow died suddenly of a [heart attack](/source/Myocardial_infarction) on 6 August 1991.[10] Producers initially considered sending Henry to visit Marian in Italy or die while he was on holiday, but instead he suffered a fatal heart attack at the harvest festival off-screen.[11] Script editor Ann Tobin explained "It was a rite of passage and we wanted to allow viewers to mourn by relating the plot to real life."[11] As the show was filmed a few months ahead of broadcast, Henry's death did not occur within the serial until October 1991.[12]

## Reception

Hilary Kingsley, author of *Soap Box* opined that the character was "beautifully underplayed" by Pentelow. She also called Henry "the wise elder statesman of Beckindale."[13] Like Magill, Pentelow was often stopped in the streets by fans. He recalled that his favourite interaction was with an old man, who told him that he had given him "an hour or two of real pleasure."[13] A reporter for the *[Evening Standard](/source/Evening_Standard)* stated Pentelow played "the bluff, wise Mr Wilks whose verbal duels with Amos Brearly were some of the most magic moments in the soap for its millions of fans."[10] Jon Kelly of the *[Daily Mirror](/source/Daily_Mirror)* branded Henry "the resident tycoon of the Dales" and said he was "one of *Emmerdale'*s best-known characters."[14] Reflecting on the first few episodes of *Emmerdale* in 2012, Kelly's colleague Lewis Panther described Henry as a "bully boy businessman".[15]

Anthony Hayward, author of *The Who's Who of Soap Operas* branded Henry a "reflective, pipe-smoking" businessman.[4] Writing for *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*, Hayward said that Henry and Amos had a double-act that lasted almost twenty years with "plenty of comic moments".[16] In a 2021 *[Radio Times](/source/Radio_Times)* poll, Amos and Henry were voted as the joint tenth "best soap pub landlord of all time", receiving 3% of the votes.[17] Henry was named as one of "the 30 greatest *Emmerdale* residents" by a writer for *[Inside Soap](/source/Inside_Soap)*.[18] They assessed that "gentlemanly Henry made an unforgettable double act" with Amos, adding "often likened to an old married couple due to their bickering."[18]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Beginning_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Beginning_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Beginning_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Beginning_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Beginning_1-4) [Hayward 1997](#refhayward), pp.9–11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hayward20_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hayward20_2-1) [Hayward 1997](#refhayward), pp.20–21.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mag1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mag1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-mag1_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-mag1_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-mag1_3-4) Hawkins, Linda (November 1985). "Henry Wilks—played by Arthur Pentelow". *Emmerdale Farm: Celebration Edition 1000 Episodes*. No. 1. London Editions Limited. p. 29.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Hayward_4-6) [Hayward 1991](#refhayward1), p.131.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Television & Radio 1986 - IBA Yearbook of Independent Broadcasting*](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Television-%26-Radio-ITV/IBA-Yearbook-1986.pdf) (PDF). Independent Broadcasting Authority. 1986. p. 36. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0900485-507](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0900485-507). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230619030326/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Television-%26-Radio-ITV/IBA-Yearbook-1986.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023. {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: |website= ignored ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#periodical_ignored))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-tvt2_6-0)** "Annie names the day!". *[TVTimes](/source/TVTimes)*. **150** (34). [IPC Magazines](/source/IPC_Magazines): 18. 21–27 August 1993.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kingsley306_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kingsley306_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kingsley306_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Kingsley306_7-3) [Kingsley 1988](#refkingsley), p.306.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Hayward 1997](#refhayward), p.25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Hawkins, Linda (November 1985). "Amos Brearly—played by Ronald Magill". *Emmerdale Farm: Celebration Edition 1000 Episodes* (1). London Editions Limited: 24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dies_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dies_10-1) ["Emmerdale's Mr Wilks dies"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82378750/emmerdales-mr-wilks-dies/). *[Evening Standard](/source/Evening_Standard)*. London. 6 August 1991. Retrieved 29 July 2021 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Billen_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Billen_11-1) Billen, Andrew (11 October 1992). ["Who's slip sliding away?"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82386978/whos-slip-sliding-away/). *[The Observer](/source/The_Observer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210729032725/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/82386978/whos-slip-sliding-away/) from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Parkin 2002](#refparkin), p.79.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kingsley_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kingsley_13-1) [Kingsley 1988](#refkingsley), pp.305–306.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Kelly, Jon (18 March 2005). ["Emmerdale Week: Those were the dales"](https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Emmerdale+Week%3A+Those+were+the+dales..+WE+FIND+THE+EMMERDALE...-a0130431740). *[Daily Mirror](/source/Daily_Mirror)*. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Panther, Lewis (17 October 2012). ["Jack Sugden returns to claim Emmerdale Farm after his father's death: Looking back 40 years to soap's first episodes"](https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/emmerdale-40th-anniversary-looking-back-1383813). *[Daily Mirror](/source/Daily_Mirror)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210729082720/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/emmerdale-40th-anniversary-looking-back-1383813) from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Hayward, Anthony](/source/Anthony_Hayward) (8 September 2007). ["Ronald Magill"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83155523/). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. London. p. 47 – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Julians, Joe. ["Exclusive – Emmerdale's Charity Dingle tops poll to be crowned best soap pub landlord of all time"](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/emmerdale-charity-dingle-soap-landlord-exclusive-newsupdate/). *[Radio Times](/source/Radio_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231004111313/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/emmerdale-charity-dingle-soap-landlord-exclusive-newsupdate/) from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-inso2945_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-inso2945_18-1) "The 30 greatest Emmerdale residents...ever!". *[Inside Soap](/source/Inside_Soap)* (216): 55. 12–25 October 2002.

- [Hayward, Anthony](/source/Anthony_Hayward) (1991). *The Who's Who of Soap Operas*. Guinness Publishing Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-85112-966-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85112-966-2).

- [Hayward, Anthony](/source/Anthony_Hayward) (1997). *The Emmerdale Companion*. Orion Media. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7528-1776-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7528-1776-7).

- Kingsley, Hilary (1988). *Soap Box*. [Macmillan Publishers](/source/Macmillan_Publishers). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-333-46949-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-333-46949-1).

- [Parkin, Lance](/source/Lance_Parkin) (2002). *30 Years of Emmerdale*. Granada Media Group. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-233-05068-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-233-05068-3).

v t e Emmerdale characters Present characters Robert Sugden Eric Pollard Kim Tate Victoria Sugden Sam Dingle Mandy Dingle Marlon Dingle Paddy Kirk Belle Dingle Charity Dingle Cain Dingle Bob Hope Rodney Blackstock Nicola King Rhona Goskirk Gabby Thomas Laurel Thomas Chas Dingle Aaron Dingle Jimmy King Sarah Sugden Moira Dingle Jai Sharma Ross Barton Bear Wolf Mary Goskirk Former characters Louise Appleton Seth Armstrong Chloe Atkinson Adam Barton Holly Barton John Barton Edna Birch Bernice Blackstock Amos Brearly Lily Butterfield Leanna Cavanagh Graham Clark Danny Daggert Toni Daggert Marcus Dean Anna De Souza Donald De Souza Miles De Souza Alice Dingle Debbie Dingle Del Dingle Eli Dingle Lisa Dingle Shadrach Dingle Tina Dingle Zak Dingle Betty Eagleton Daz Eden Nell Fairfax Liv Flaherty Adam Forsythe Ella Forster Jonny Foster Biff Fowler Linda Fowler Alicia Gallagher Dave Glover Kathy Glover Roy Glover Marshall Hamston Leyla Harding Chloe Harris Ella Hart Jamie Hope Viv Hope Billy Hopwood Rachel Hughes Perdita Hyde-Sinclair Eve Jenson Ivan Jones Meena Jutla Carl King Lexi King Matthew King Rosemary King Sadie King Tom King Emily Kirk Jason Kirk Ross Kirk Pearl Ladderbanks Lizzie Lakely Faye Lamb Ryan Lamb Paul Lambert Declan Macey Steve Marchant Paul Marsden Siobhan Marsden Suzy Merton David Metcalfe Scarlett Nicholls Lord Alex Oakwell Sam Pearson Val Pollard Hari Prasad Len Reynolds Sean Reynolds Nikhil Sharma Priya Sharma Grayson Sinclair Dolly Skilbeck Matt Skilbeck Jo Stiles Steph Stokes Andy Sugden Annie Sugden Diane Sugden Jack Sugden Joe Sugden Katie Sugden Pat Sugden Sarah Sugden Chris Tate Frank Tate Zoe Tate Ashley Thomas Jasmine Thomas Sandy Thomas Tara Thornfield Alan Turner Terence Turner Brenda Walker Gennie Walker Jackson Walsh Naomi Walters Chrissie White Henry Wilks Shelley Williams Donna Windsor Kelly Windsor Scott Windsor Vic Windsor Dawn Woods Terry Woods Amy Wyatt Maisie Wylde Mark Wylde Natasha Wylde Nathan Wylde By year 1972–1973 1974–1975 1977 1978–1979 1982–1983 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Henry Wilks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wilks) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wilks?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.