Don't blame it on a Grundy, don't blame it on Route B, don't blame it on Sean O'C, blame it on the badgers. Discuss The Archers of Prudhoe here.

[PseudoBadger]

She has an IMDB credit for something that hasn't been released yet. I think this is probably the right one.

Why bother to recast Pip if they really are moving North? Bit of a giveaway.

I see amongst the accents she says she can do she mentions Worcestershire, so I assume she's a native of the West Midlands.

So after all these years of her having a faintly northern accent she will return from Her work placement in the north sounding like an Ambridge local.

Would there be enough (magical) money for Pip to stay on and farm a smaller portion of Brookfield?

Post sinkhole. Which will scare away the road.

My DM emigrated to a new country when she was around my age. I really ought to be able to cope with a little upheaval in Ambridge.

Didn't you know that relatives of people in the business have to work really hard to step out of their shadow? The book of contacts and fact your relatives friends have known you since you were a nipper are no compensation at all.

And of course they are all born with innate talent an don't need to be trained - oh hang on, Sean wants trained doesn't he...

Funny how in any other industry nespotism is frowned upon buy in entertainment it seems to be positively encouraged

that's the one I was looking at, Mimsy - couldn't make the link work though

To be fair, Angus Imrie is in professional training (currently doing a degree in Drama) and he has had quite a bit of professional experience already. I do think it's a bit like the Bachs, the Churchills, the Amises and so on. You must have a much better idea from the inside what a particular career is like and I can see how it would seem like the obvious path to follow, if you have some aptitude for it. And that's before we even get onto the possibility of some genetic component to the aptitude.

Oh yes - well I hope she is a complete unknown and this gives her a big break

Do we know who new Tom is?

I suspect he may be returning imminently (hence Peggy's party at bridge farm for the reunion). I just find it hard to believe he will be back so fast (no doubt with all loose ends tied up there) and that he won't have been in contact with his parents so there will be any surprise about richjohn

growing up comfortable with the kind of theatricality which makes lesser mortals cringe & talk of luvvies must make it much easier

Sorry to go off topic again but so pleased to find there are so many other discriminating people who loathed both J Peel as a person and the execrable Home Truths ( instantly switched off in our house). After his death it was almost as though he'd been canonised and no negative views were permitted.

Richard Cole, on the other hand, I've always been a fan of - he's on lots of other things and comes over as intelligent, liberal-minded and witty. His autobiography has just been published. He's certainly had an interesting 'journey' as the pretentious phrase has it.

But, despite thus liking for him, am getting a bit worried Saturday Live is starting to go the way of the sentimentality and smugness that characterised Home Truths. Tho could never loathe the Rev Richard, as I did JP ...

I have to say Pip being replaced at all, let alone by a proper actress with a Worcs accent, is the only recent change which doesn't fill me with dread

I guess I'm cynical because the industry I'm in have cracked down a lot on any perceived nespotism due to outside pressure and I can't see why it should be any different to politics/acting

In politics I think family dynasties have in a lot of cases led to mediocrity

George W Bush - QED!

Re Tom - as far as I know, at present we don't even know if we will ever hear Tom again.

I think 'discriminating' is a bit harsh, poly

I'm sure plenty of JP likers also have tastes you do share

I have taken against Daisy Badger. Her lamda biog says she has a "Full Clean Driving License".

accidentally typed in US English Word, obv, R4

(should have been corrected though)

it made me laugh actually because DD1 always adds that (as a joke) to her qualifications

So are we agreed that it is mr oc's m.o. To have as much misery as possible?

If so, I think Adam will be in the process of buying Brookfield (with Brian) and burn all bridges with BL. Then the archers will pull out when route plot device is cancelled - yay but misery for Adam et al

I couldn't stand Pip-of-the-over-emphasised-final-consonants, but I'm even more fed up with SOC's new broom. FGS make haste slowly. Or just buggar off.

Bugger, even.

I am most pleased at the continuing Badger love. Although this must mean that Peep isn't going

Why are we getting these tweets about incoming actors? Are the cast fed up with SO'C and deliberately trying to ruin his plot twists with give-aways.

... Or have they been primed to deliver timely revelations?

....isn't the whole point or radio drama that the characters are known by, their, er voice??? What is the point of replacing Pip, who we all know and love, despite her annoying voice...this is the characteristic we expect and are familiar with...it's getting scary out there

Pay off for Debbie. Enough to buy Brookfield?