Top 10 moments from 75 years of The Archers
From coercive control to steamy shower scenes and the Covid pandemic: 10 moments from The Archers that kept us glued to our radios...
Radio Times Archive
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The death of Grace Archer – 22 September 1955
The original shocking soap death, which coincided suspiciously with the launch of ITV. When young Grace died in a fire in the Brookfield stables, there was uproar among listeners distressed by the loss of a favourite character.
Jennifer Archer gets pregnant –1966
It was the Swinging Sixties, but when Peggy and Jack Archer’s hippyish daughter became pregnant out of wedlock, the Ambridge elders clutched their pearls — tighter when it appeared the father was cowherd Paddy Redmond.
Doris and Dan Archer die – 1980, 1986
The passing of an era as the original Archers, introduced back in 1951, left the Ambridge soil behind. While Doris died gently at home, Dan, a farmer to the last, collapsed trying to right a fallen ewe.
Doris (Gwen Berryman) and Dan (Harry Oakes) Archer recording an episode. Radio Times Archive
Clive Horrobin robs the village shop – 1993
Ideas of a rural idyll dissolved when violent crime came to Ambridge as black sheep Clive held Betty, Debbie, Jack and Kate hostage at gunpoint. His aspirant sister Susan went to prison for helping him evade the police, leading to a campaign to free the “Ambridge One”.
The death of John Archer – 25 February 1998
A poignant moment in which Tony and Pat’s elder son, upset at his proposal being rejected by Hayley Jordan and after an argument with Tony, drove the family tractor into a ditch. Tony’s discovery of his son left many listeners choking back tears.
Jolene and Sid Perks get steamy – February 2000
A scene seared indelibly into listeners’ minds as the foley team brought them the sounds of Jolene and Sid having sex in the shower.
Nigel and Elizabeth Pargetter from the Archers. Radio Times Archive
The death of Nigel Pargetter – 1 January 2011
What better way to celebrate the 60th anniversary than killing off a beloved character by having him fall off a roof after being goaded by David Archer? Many thought it a cheap stunt.
Helen and Rob's coercive control story – 2014—2016
One of the most impactful soap storylines, full stop. It raised the issue of coercive control to national prominence and can arguably claim to have influenced legislation on violence against women.
Louiza Patikas as Helen Archer and Timothy Watson as Rob Titchener. BBC
Covid – 2020–2021
The Archers was the only UK soap to continue across lockdown. After three weeks of archive episodes, it cut its output to four character monologues a week, which didn’t quite satisfy listeners’ desire to hear Lynda Snell getting snippy with Eddie Grundy.
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The explosion at Grey Gables – 8 March 2020
A real marmalade dropper as country hotel Grey Gables was rocked by an explosion in the kitchen. But the shockwaves were more alarming, when it transpired it had been caused by a worker caught up in a modern slavery ring run by Philip Moss and his son Gavin.
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