EMMERDALE star and Clarets-mad fan Richard Moore has stoked up the rivalry ahead of the big derby with Blackburn on Sunday.

He said Burnley was a ‘great club' and an asset to the town.

And he is backing his side to bounce back from their 0-1 defeat against Hull on Monday night to beat Rovers for the first time in their recent history.

He said: “It would be great to get one over our old rivals.

“It would give the fans something to cheer about for a change after some poor results.

“It is not beyond the realms of possibility for them to win. Something has got to happen in the players’ heads and hearts.”

Mr Moore, who began his career with 10 years in The Royal Shakespeare Company after training at Bristol Old Vic drama school, has also had parts on Band Of Gold, The Bill, Gold Plated, Born and Bred and Where The Heart Is.

While Richard, 70, will be keeping his fingers crossed for the Clarets from his home in Cornwall, celebrities including fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, comedian Jim Bowen and Dr Who star Matt Smith will be backing Rovers.

But Richard, best known for his role as Jarvis Skelton in Emmerdale, said the friendly rivalry was all part of East Lancashire’s history.

“I am generally old and gnarled, so take one game at a time.

“We generally lose against our old enemy Blackburn.

“The rivalry is what football is about in East Lancashire. If it’s not Blackburn, it’s Bolton or Preston,” he said.

And Richard, who has been a supporter since 1950, urged the team to win it for former chairman Barry Kilby, who is in remission after a battle against cancer.

The Burnley-born actor said: “It would be nice for Barry.

“He has been going through a tough time lately, but knowing Barry as I do, he will be tuned into the game.

“Burnley is justifyably a great club. It’s one of the founder members of the league and still hacking away after all these years. It’s a great asset to the town.”