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

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

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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!

My guess is it's an empty threat from Helen.

How poignant to hear Roy and Robert mentioned in the same episode. I do hope they recast Roy with an actor with a similary distinctive voice and he flourishes as manager of GG.

And I hope they bring Russ in as manager and artist in residence at GG.

Hand me that🔮. Ive just seen that the production company that made Mr Bates has infact been approached to make something about Waspi and are considering it. The government will never be able to afford all these pay outs if they win as well.

Lots to unpack in that episode. It seems that Knob's work is done. He's still poisoning relations between the Bridge Farm Archers. Natasha as ever failed to read the room and Tom as ever allowed her to let him walk right into that. I'd actually forgotten about the starry twins modelling contract. Lily at GG was interesting - I loved the tour of the ballroom and I'm so happy to hear the Royal Garden Suite is still there (and now refurbished). Was she so disappointed that Adil is leaving because she has a thing for him or was it because she thought she'd be able to charm him into indiscretion in a way she can't with Roy and Oliver. It did seem somewhat ironic that Adil is the one leaving when Roy is the one who needs to be replaced. GG and LL aren't really comparable in terms of work environments in my mind - one is a chilly, rattling National Trust kind of place - grand perhaps, but not luxurious, where you might be expected to muck in because you ought to feel it's an honour to work there. GG is a luxury hotel - which can offer perks like gym membership and where you can probably expect tips. I also agree with @fink that Lily must now be wondering how much use Chelsea can actually be as her snout when she didn't even realise her own brother was leaving.

Was she so disappointed that Adil is leaving because she has a thing for him or was it because she thought she'd be able to charm him into indiscretion in a way she can't with Roy and Oliver.

I think she'll be after his job.

Lee has been mentioned occasionally, they could easily write Helen out by having her get back together with him and go to make cheese in San Francisco?

I find the idea of Helen leaving inconceivable. It all seems a bit Northumberland to me - and I really am not looking forward to months of faux-moving before the inevitable decision to Stay Put.

Unfortunately Helen isn’t going anywhere and that was just emotional blackmail on her part

i don't believe for a second gym membership is one of the perks of the job

I don't believe for a second gym membership is one of the perks of the job why not? It is something that would cost them nothing, the health club used to be open to all (ie not just residents) before the takeover and isn’t it a fact that many people who join gyms don’t go that much anyway. Or am I missing something? I hadn’t thought of Lily being after Adil’s job @CaptainMyCaptain. I thought he was only ever there temporarily to see through the renovation.

If it’s a 5 star hotel guests don’t expect it to be busy and there are a lot of staff at gg. Sure most won’t use it but it isn’t great customer service.

If Helen’s statement had been anywhere other than at the end of the episode I’d have thought nothing more of it, @Bruisername. But the SW seems to have used it with intent …

And if Adil is leaving why have they had his sister move into the story? No one (almost no one!) exists as an isolated entity in Ambridge, so it would make no sense.

Curious about the gym membership - how does it work? Do staff members only use it out of hours; maybe pre-7.30 am and after 11pm? That would surely be inconvenient for staff and for any guests who wanted 24 hr access. Or does it mean Justin / Hazel / Usha types finding themselves on treadmills next to the Chelsea / George who cleared their breakfast tray or who was sweeping up leaves on the drive as they arrived? Which might afford all sorts of thrilling possibilities …

Getting an allotment is surely a long term thing? He’ll want to see his plants bloom/produce food?

@Bruisername , i don't think adil is going anywhere Me neither. I think he'll get a job at LL.
@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle , Brad is gormless. He's not.
@Roysnewshirt , she is only a few years older than Brad Lily is 24, Brad is 17. Quite a difference at that age.
@Alwaysdieting , shocked then nothing else until the Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Me too.
Oh that girl who used to be in corrie was so vile. She is a very good actress.
Which girl?
@BeatriceBatchelor , My guess is it's an empty threat from Helen. Mine too.
@LillianGish , Was she so disappointed that Adil is leaving because she has a thing for him That's what I thought.
@TottersBlanklyIntoBimboCore , But the SW seems to have used it with intent …
And if Adil is leaving why have they had his sister move into the story? No one (almostno one!) exists as an isolated entity in Ambridge, so it would make no sense.
My thoughts too. Helen and DC moving away will disrupt Henry even more.

The blonde one who worked for the Post Office Van der valeen or something. Not Hailey.! In answer to#MerryChristmasToYou.

@Alwaysdieting , I didn't think you meant Hayley. Wasn't sure if you meant a child or someone young when in Corrie.
Katherine Kelly (actress) - Wikipedia

Wasn't Lily in Corrie?
I'd imagine KK to get roles where she was playing someone a bit hard hearted.

Lots of hotels I know do offer staff gym membership (maybe off peak). The ones that don't tend to have crap gyms and pools for posing next to rather than swimming in.

I agree @MerryChristmasToYou that Adil will improbably take a worse paid job at LL (maybe Veronica’s manager role?) as he was so stressed out and incompetent at the senior manager role he had at GG. He will have to find somewhere to live though, he can’t stay at Lynda’s forever.

@TopOfTheCliff , He could bunk up with Lily at The Stables.
His GP sister is looking for somewhere to live and The Lodge is on the market.

Ding dong

It's going to be quite funny if it turns out the main reason people moved from LL to GG was because they couldn't stand Lily, and then she turns up at GG.

With a proper manager who doesn't let her do her stream-of-spite act.

Yes - he will live at the lodge with his sister

Wasn't it the new manager I the Orangery they've been complaining about? Trent/Trev's replacement? (Did hear the name properly.)

@EBearhug , I think it was Trent's replacement, Verity, but I might have not heard listened properly.
Wasn't there a manager years ago called Geraldine?

Connor seems to be in charge of the Orangery now. Cast of thousands, mostly silent.

@RegimentalSturgeon , I don't think I was listening properly. Connor seems to ring a bell.

Was Geraldine the manager or the falconer? Can't remember, can't be arsed to Google...

We need @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime 's memory for this. Was the falconer Jessica?