Explorer called the Red (4)
I believe the answer is:
'explorer called the red' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for eric that I've seen before include "-- Idle; -- Morecambe" , "-- Sykes; -- Idle" , "Man" , "-- Idle, comedian" , "Ancient blood-money; Ernie's partner" .)