1 | Ian and Adam’s civil partnership
Suggested by Ashness and Carole Seheult
One in a long series of Archers nuptials, the civil partnership of Adam Macy and Ian Craig in December 2006 rocked the boat. Their kiss in a strawberry field was the first gay embrace in the programme’s history. This plotline figures in The Archers’ attempts to join the 21st century, much to the chagrin of some more traditional listeners. The programme received vociferous criticism but nonetheless ploughed on to make a vital milestone in Archers plot history.
2 | Tom’s sausages
Suggested by Bunn
Reader Bunn mandates that ”anything to do with Tom’s sausages” would be a plotline to give the very best a run for their money. The hapless farm manager Tom Archer, played by Tom Graham, kept everyone entertained with his sausage shenanigans, even self-styling himself the “sausage king”. This role was cruelly snatched from him in 2014 in a recasting that saw actor Tom end his 17-year tenure on the programme.
3 | The death of Bob Larkin
Suggested by Carole Seheult
In 1957, Bob Larkin is out poaching when he is shot by Tom Forrest, for which the latter is charged with manslaughter but later acquitted. This vintage storyline has always been a highlight of Ambridge mysteries. The motive? Bob Larkin was a rival for the affections of barmaid Pru Harris, whom Tom later married. But we’ll never know what really happened.
4 | Walter Gabriel’s elephants
Suggested by MatthewCobb
A firm favourite in many Archers polls, the appearance in the 1960s of two elephants at the summer fete shook up the usual livestock scene. Lovable and loamy-voiced Walter Gabriel, ever inventive, came up with two elephants, Rosie and Tiny Tim, as part of his schemes to raise money at the fete. Added to the list were also, in no particular order: steam trains, performing seals, a hot air balloon, and a ventriloquist’s dummy called Marmaduke. Walter’s phrase “Me old pal, me old beauty” remains one of the most enduring of the series’ long history, providing much-needed comic relief.
5 | Nelson Gabriel’s disappearance
Suggested by Ruinart and Ashness
The son of Walter Gabriel, Nelson (played by Jack May) first appeared on the programme in 1957, finally vanishing in mysterious circumstances. Something of a louche cad, he was once voted the greatest rogue in the series’ history, and was a Lovejoy-esque combination of antiques dealer and wine bar owner, no doubt part of the reason that user Ruinart claims that “anything to do with Nelson” would be good.
6 | Joe Grundy’s ferret-bludgeoning
Suggested by RobertSmith
Reflecting the often harsh reality of dwindling farm profits, Archers stalwart Joe Grundy succumbs to depression and moves with his family to a sink estate in Borchester, but not before he bludgeons his own ferrets to death. Unsurprisingly, this proved to be one of the most harrowing plot lines on The Archers to date, with many unsuspecting listeners subjected to a disturbing descent into despair and violence (“Not the ferrets! Put the hammer down!”) Moving back some time after, Joe is now Ambridge’s oldest living resident. Which is, sadly, more than you can say for the ferrets.
7 | The death of Mark Hebden
Suggested by Heathermary
Hebden’s tragic demise in a car accident shocked the listening public in 1994. As Shula Archer’s first husband, Mark was the sporty solicitor always trying to appease his wife. His shock death occurred as he swerved in the road to avoid Shula’s best friend Caroline Sterling, who had been thrown from her horse. Heathermary admits it was “the only time I’ve actually liked Shula”.
8 | Lilian Bellamy’s affair
Suggested by Carole Seheult
A mainstay since 2003, merry widow Lilian Bellamy is good value for money with her rollicking machinations and liking for a G&T. Her husband Matt Crawford is imprisoned for fraud, and she starts an affair with Matt’s half-brother Paul Morgan (pictured above). Paul tragically dies six months later, putting an abrupt end to the extramarital situation, a twist that further shocked an already scandalised listenership.
9 | Betty Tucker’s death
Also suggested by Carole Seheult
The death of Betty Tucker plunged audience members into shock in 2005. Betty died at home after returning from hospital after suffering a heart attack the week before. The character’s demise was all down to actor Pamela Craig, who had played the role of Betty for 31 years, deciding to step down. The end came as a shock, all the more harrowing for her speaking through an oxygen mask in the studio for added authenticity.
10 | Scruff the dog
Suggested by bobbymac1956 and greendreamer
During heavy floods, it was feared that the body of Lynda Snell’s dog Scruff had caused a blockage following his apparent disappearance. User bobbymac1956 describes experiencing “all the five stages of grief” at the potential of this outcome, but this one of Ambridge’s many furry friends defied the odds to survive the flooding, to unanimous relief.
