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.

All views on The Archers welcome here! New blood welcomed, and of course we are always delighted to welcome back former or occasional listeners/posters. We don't all agree on all points, although we do mostly try to be civil about it. Most of us are posting tongue in cheek a lot of the time, so don't worry about revealing that you'd like more of Gagriculture, or other unusual views.

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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!

The one thing I hope they don't do is leave it a long time before they kill off the character. They left poor old Joe too long IMO, although when they did it, it was fitting. I'm not impressed that they are keeping Robert going silently either, and I think there's been a third in recent years..?

Oh my goodness @BeatriceBatchelor that is a beautiful idea for Roy and Lexi.

@AngryBirdsNoMore have some unmumsnetty hugs from me. I don't know about you but I struggle in the lead to to Christmas, and so do a lot of my friends. Solstice has been, Christmas is soon over and the days get longer now - I hope these things bring you a renewed sense of hope xxx

I've been really missing Roy. A lovely character, so sad to hear that Ian has died - so young too. My thoughts are with his family 😔

for @AngryBirdsNoMore. I hope you can get through the often not-so-festive season OK. Look after yourself.

Thanks for the thread @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g

Big squishes @AngryBirdsNoMore

Thanks @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g I know this will be a difficult Christmas for you too. Thinking of you. My Dad died this time last year and I was really grateful for the support you all showed to me on here at that time. It’s a lovely community on this thread- we have our ups and downs but we’re actually just like Peggy Mitchell’s fam-er-ly….

Terribly sad for Ian Pepperell’s family.

Rather surprised by all the fondness for Roy, I must say. Frightful little tit, I thought, with a soul of beige crimplene.

AngryBirdsNoMore, I don't suppose knowing that a stranger on the internet is well-wishing you very hard will make much difference to anything, but for what it may be worth, I am.

I don't suppose it will help much but they might like to know the impact the character he played made to his audience.

Lololol @RegimentalSturgeon I too am not a Roy lover although I'm very sorry about I.P. I think this might the second time in three days you've made me guffaw out loud!

Thanks for the new thread.

Sending love and hugs @AngryBirdsNoMore

I wasn't talking about Ian Pepperell or his family.

Very sad news about Ian Pepperell, he was a very good actor and Roy's presence will be missed.

I wish you well too @AngryBirdsNoMore

I always thought Roy and Kirstie might end up together 😢

Thanks, @Roysnewshirt, that's very kind. We always have a very quiet Christmas at home, so no change there chez Gasp. Mum was going to my brother's but thanks to Covid (him), weather/ferry issues and sciatica (her), she's ended up staying at home, but a kind friend has invited her to Christmas lunch and I think that will work out well.

Re EastEnders, I've never watched it, but the BBC has been trailing it relentlessly over the last few days, so I have the impression they're going for a good old-fashioned Christmas murder. I wouldn't mind if TA did this one year. I'm a big fan of the whodunnit type of crime fiction. Nominate Pip for victim.

I'd also hoped for a Roy/Kirsty union. Ah well.

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g I thought once Roy/Kirsty would have been great together. Clearly they are fantastically good friends and care for each other a lot. But as time went on it became equally clear there was never going to be any romantic spark. They just didn't seem to fancy each other. Maybe underlining the adage that men and women can be just good friends.

Ed thinking about training as a tree surgeon, good idea. Denise returning to the Ambridge vet practice, not so good. I was always uncomfortable with the attraction Alastair felt for her, despite the fact that she is in fact married.

I also feel uncomfortable about Alistair and Denise. I want Alistair to be happy but she is married.

Good idea for Ed to refrain I just want Emma to do GCSE maths now and then they can both have options.

Didn't Jamie Perks train as a tree surgeon - has he moved away from Ambridge (I know he's a 'silent') ?

Good idea for Ed to refrain

Indeed. There are many things he could with advantage refrain from. (Sorry, can’t resist an inviting typo/autocarrot)

I only listen occasionally, but was sad to hear of the actor's death. How was Roy Tucker's absence explained (if it was)?

Oops! Retrain!

He did, and has now moved to Hereford. Kathy planned to sell April Cottage and buy a house near him when she got back from America several months ago.

OK sorry. I misunderstood.