Archers thread #159: Sad news as 2023 draws to a close - RIP Ian Pepperell (Roy Tucker). Discuss The Archers here.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Thank you, @PseudoBadger, for kicking off this long, long series of Archers threads.

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For newer listeners, lurkers or those who just have no idea what we're talking about, @DadDadDad has created this useful thread: //www.mumsnet.com/Talk/radio_addicts/3557323-For-Archers-fans-a-guide-to-acronyms-on-the-long-running-discussion-threads-and-any-other-meta-thread-questions-you-may-have - BOOP point for him! (See thread for explanation.)

We start this thread with the very sad news that Ian Pepperell, who played Roy Tucker from 1995 without a break, has died at the age of 53. There's a lovely tribute to him in this article from Jeremy Howe, the current Editor. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/dec/23/the-archers-actor-ian-pepperell-dies-aged-53-roy-archer-eastenders

Graham Blockey, who played Robert Snell, died just over a year ago, also far too young (66). https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/much-loved-surrey-gp-archers-25524449 As yet, Robert survives in Ambridge.

I do hope they don't re-cast Robert, but it might work for Roy, I suppose, after a suitable interval. They've re-cast Tony, Tom, Kate, Pip, Clarrie and Emma, mostly successfully. I still wish Tom and Pip hadn't been re-cast. New Tom is a good actor but so was Old Tom.

Meanwhile, several very elderly members of the cast survive, and long may that continue, although not necessarily on air. I think most of us would say that the time has come for Jill to become a silent character, following the precedent of Peggy and Christine.

So! Christmas next week - will it be the best Christmas ever at either Brookfield or The Stables, or both? Then it's 2024. What does the New Year hold for The Archers? Over to you!

[Bruisername]

Thanks for new thread. Sad news about Ian

[bakedpotatoforlunch]

Thank you @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g And a fitting tribute to Ian Pepperell.

Thank you Ian for all you brought to us in Roy. Wonderful to listen to over the years and the sense of a real and warm personality you gave to someone who was dealing with the many ups and downs in life. You will be much missed.

[OhLittleBoreOfWhabylon]

Thank you @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g. Sad news indeed. I always liked the Roy character, even when he was led astray by Elizabeth. I'd quite like him to go off and live his best life with Lexi.

[CaptainMyCaptain]

A fitting thread title. Thank you.

[muddyford]

I thought Jill had been recast when I heard her the other evening.

[Nudgethatjudge]

Sad news in Archer land.
I did like the Roy character and was hoping to hear more of him with the Grey Gables refurb. I always wanted Brenda to return and kick ass.

Condolences to family and friends.

[IdaPrentice]

Sad to hear about Roy/Ian. Always such a good, natural and convincing actor.

[RowanMayfair]

Thoughts with the family of Ian. Roy was one of my favourite characters to listen to.

[eish]

I loved Ian as Roy, he had a distinctive voice and was well acted even if I didn’t always like the character himself. Sad to think we won’t hear him be played again.

[BeatriceBatchelor]

RIP Ian.

Roy is spending Christmas in Bulgaria with Lexi. They’ve been in constant communication all year, which explains why Roy hadn't noticed what a mess Adil was making of the refurbishment. His head and his heart were elsewhere. They decide to get married, run a hotel in Bulgaria, have a baby. And live blissfully ever after.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

That's a lovely thought, @BeatriceBatchelor.

[BeatriceBatchelor]

Thank you Gasp.

i was worried it sounded like fanfiction but I would like that for Roy as he was a likeable character and well acted.

[FiveShelties]

Really sad news, he played Roy brilliantly.

Thank you for the new thread @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

[JanglyBeads]

Thanks Gasp.

I just posted on the old thread, before I realised:

Has a character ever been revoiced due to the death of the previous actor though? It might feel rather inappropriate somehow.

[AskingQuestionsAllTheTime]

Yes: Dan Archer more than once, Tom Forrest, Joe Grundy and Clarrie Grundy were examples I thought of instantly, and I expect there were others.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I dropped out of listening to The Archers a while ago, but was very sorry to hear this.

[JanglyBeads]

Oh OK, thanks

[PuppyPerson]

Oh, sad news. I always liked Roy and he was brilliantly acted.
Makes sense now why Roy was so inexplicably absent during all the GG silliness. Maybe they had a better storyline planned but needed to change it due to his illness? Could the sad news explain why the GG storyline sounded so disorganised and unrealistic?
Either way, sad news.
Roy's a great character and I'd like him to stay in Ambridge.

[AngryBirdsNoMore]

@BeatriceBatchelor

RIP Ian.

Roy is spending Christmas in Bulgaria with Lexi. They’ve been in constant communication all year, which explains why Roy hadn't noticed what a mess Adil was making of the refurbishment. His head and his heart were elsewhere. They decide to get married, run a hotel in Bulgaria, have a baby. And live blissfully ever after.

Yes please to this.

[AngryBirdsNoMore]

(Thank you for well wishes. I suffer from chronic, severe mental health difficulties and a chronic physical health ailment. The latter worsens in winter, the former is particularly terrible at Christmas but has been on the decline all year. I feel terribly, terribly sad and hopeless. This thread is a highlight however, so thank you).

[EBearhug]

I was sad to hear about Ian/Roy.

[Myotis]

Just read this too- such a shock and so sad. Such a staple and recognisable character. Will be much missed.

[bakedpotatoforlunch]

@@AngryBirdsNoMore All my very best wishes and hopes for you at this time. Some loved ones in my family have had great mental health difficulties. It's awful I realise.
Take care and I hope that you are feeling better soon. 💐 🙂

[TottersBlanklyIntoBimboCore]

Thank you @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g.

I hope Ian Pepperell’s family will be heartened by the knowledge of how much he was appreciated by TA listeners.

@AngryBirdsNoMore - commiserations; it is a tough time of the year.

[howdyho]

RIP Ian Pepperell 💐
These characters become part of our lives like an extended family.
I'm sure you're aware, but for those who aren't, YouTube has past episodes of The Archers sometimes a whole year's worth 2009 & 2010.
It's lovely to hear Jenny's and Nigel's voices again and now Roy's.