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Sunday 19 May 2013, 18:27

The actor's view on how Paul has developed since his arrival in the programme
Read more about Michael Fenton Stevens on Paul – lover or controller?
Monday 20 May 2013, 09:06

Sunny bank holiday
Josh Archer
Put it there, partner
Nic Grundy
Enjoying church life
Jill Archer
Flower festival coming on nicely
Then back to winter
Lilian Bellamy
Run, girl, run!
Matt Crawford
The penny drops at last
Wouldn't like to be in his shoes
You can receive this light-hearted round-up in The Archers weekly email newsletter, along with other Archers-related news and features.
Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.
Sunday 19 May 2013, 18:27
Michael Fenton Stevens (Paul Morgan)
Seeing his ex-wife remarrying has increased Paul’s desperation to be with Lilian to alarming levels. The actor Michael Fenton Stevens examines the motivations that drive his character.
Paul feels that the important thing is that when he loves someone he should devote everything to them and those things need to be reciprocal. We’ve gone through periods with the character where he’s said ‘I love you so much, I will put up with anything to stay with you’. They were very interesting and quite difficult scenes to play, because clearly Lilian had decided at one point that she couldn’t go on and risk it anymore. He gave her a way out and said he’d he at her beck and call.
But was he deceiving himself when he was saying that?
I think he was absolutely. Now he’s getting to the point where he can’t bear sharing her.
I think that’s also what is happening with his ex-wife. Not that he loves her any more as he does Lilian, but he still feels responsible for her. He thinks that Celia is leading herself and his children to a position where everything will go wrong. Whether that’s really true, in his mind it is. So you have to play those...
Read more about Michael Fenton Stevens on Paul – lover or controller?
Sunday 19 May 2013, 18:27
Post from @DAaronovitch on Twitter
Matt’s next move and Pip’s car troubles have dominated discussions this week. We’ve had all manner of guesses about what Matt’s planning to do about Lilian and Paul, with everything from murder to marriage suggested. There were huge cheers for David for sticking to his guns over Pip’s car loan. But they’re not so happy with his "push-over of a wife".
Here’s my pick of online listener discussions between 9 and 15 May 2013
As Matt Crawford takes his frustration out on his golf balls, listeners wonder if he will be serving up a dish of revenge – served cold? And who will be the target: Paul or Lilian? There’s quite a bit of guess work going on…
"Lilian saw the work at Fawcett Magna," said Matt, quietly twisting his six-iron into a pretzel-shaped weapon. #thearchers (@RadioAmbridge on Twitter)
1. He kills him. 2. He kills her. 3. He leaves her. 4. He stays with her. ???? #thearchers (@DAaronovitch on Twitter)
See you in the A&E Paul. #thearchers (@HiggsBoz0 on Twitter)
#theArchers Cluedo: Matt, with a golf club, in Paul's flat... (@nj_hall on Twitter)
I've got it! Matt's going to propose to her...
Read more about 'Revenge is a dish best served cold' - listener discussions to 15 May 2013
Tuesday 14 May 2013, 16:51
Post from @borntoloaf on Twitter
Thank you to all the listeners have posted their condolences and memories of Arnold Peters, who played Jack Woolley. Here are just a handful of them.
Farewell to a lovely gentleman (Nichola Mollison on BBC The Archers Facebook page)
Such sad news. I've been listening to him for as long as I can remember. #thearchers (@Jacqui12358 on Twitter)
I am so sad that Arnold has passed away. His character in the Archers was an integral part of the drama and I know life goes on even for my favourite "soap" but somehow it will dimmed by his light going out. (Bob Booker...
Read more about 'Thanks for Jack' - Archers listeners say a fond farewell to Arnold Peters
Monday 13 May 2013, 12:27
Post from @lomelindi on Twitter
Budding entrepreneur Josh Archer has impressed some listeners, but others report a growing sense of unease about his future. When it comes to his sister, they hope she’ll soon be found out after starting the rumours about Bridge farm.
Listeners are relieved that Matt Crawford is back on form. They’re waiting for a “showdown” with Paul and Lilian which, they say, can’t come too soon.
Almost everyone thinks that Helen won’t be hearing from Jonathan again after she revealed too much on their date.
There’s much relief as Lynda’s llama drama comes...
Read more about ‘Joshy I'm proud of you’ – listener discussions to 8 May 2013
Monday 13 May 2013, 12:16
Arnold Peters (Jack Woolley)
I'm sorry to have to announce that Arnold Peters, who played Jack Woolley, died at the weekend.
Archers editor Vanessa Whitburn said: 'Arnold was immensely successful as Jack Woolley. With enormous skill he took the character from sharp, sometimes ruthless, businessman, mellowing through the years into retirement and eventual dependence on wife Peggy, as Alzheimer's set in. Only the best actors can fine tune those character arcs over many years and Arnold was the best.'
I worked with Arnold many times in studio. My abiding memories are of his invariable...
Friday 10 May 2013, 14:33
Wednesday 8 May 2013, 15:05

Driving ahead
Josh Archer
Have loan, will... clear out hen muck
Clarrie Grundy
All this and Rosie too
Tom Archer
Tasting times
Having to hitch
Have no loan, will... sulk
Paul Morgan
Is he losing it?
Lilian Bellamy
Matt's checking up
You can receive this light-hearted round-up in The Archers weekly email newsletter, along with other Archers-related news and features.
Keri Davies is an Archers scriptwriter and web producer.
Tuesday 7 May 2013, 18:27
Pregnant woman with tape measure
As Helen shares perhaps too much information with her new boyfriend Jonathan, here’s a reminder of how she decided to have a baby on her own – and how it drove a wedge through the family.
Helen Archer’s desire for a baby started to surface in 2010.
Helen had been looking after Annette, the wayward daughter of Helen’s former partner Greg Turner. When Annette became pregnant, Helen was ready to help her bring up the child. But after Annette had an abortion and left to live with her grandmother, Helen’s need to nuture was left unfulfilled.
Helen had not...
Tuesday 7 May 2013, 18:27
Post from @jackieschneider on Twitter
Oh Pip! Even your most longsuffering fans seem to be deserting you. Listeners advise: get a bicycle and grow up, Pip!
As Matt begins to uncover Lilian’s deception, most think her comeuppance is long overdue.
There’s a debate over whether Kirsty and Tom should get back together; and over who would be the first to spill the beans about Bridge Farm selling the herd.
Some think that the class divide is alive and well in Ambridge after Brian and Jennifer’s kitchen supper. And many suspect that Clarrie’s birthday surprise may be a bit of a disappointment...
Read more about ‘This girl is standing on my last nerve’ - Listener discussions to 1 May 2013